BOC foils smuggling of P27.6M worth of cigarettes in Zamboanga

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has intercepted an attempt to smuggle into the country millions of pesos worth of illegally imported cigarettes in Zamboanga City.

In a statement on Friday, the BOC said the Port of Zamboanga seized a motorized wooden craft carrying 482 master cases of illegal cigarettes with an estimated market value of P27.6 million in Barangay Baliwasan, Zamboanga City, on Jan. 26.

The bureau said its Water Patrol Division (WPD), together with Enforcement and Security Service-Customs Police Division and Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service, conducted a maritime patrol operation resulting in the apprehension and seizure of a motor boat marked "FB JFM 2."

Upon inspection, the watercraft was found to be loaded with the contraband.

The BOC said the arrested nine crew members of the motor boat failed to present pertinent documents to prove the legality of subject importation.

The Customs said the seized vessel and the master cases of cigarettes are now under the custody of the agency pending seizure and forfeiture proceedings for violation of Section 1113(a) of Republic Act 10863, otherwise known as the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA) of 2016, in relation to Section 117 and the Tobacco Exportation and Importation Rules and Regulations.

The bureau said it filed a smuggling case against the nine crew members for violation of Section 1401 of the CMTA.

The crew members are presently detained at the Zamboanga City Police Station 11, it said.

"Your robust maritime security efforts reflect your firm commitment to your duties, and this apprehension is a demonstration of the vigilance you bring in safeguarding our coastal borders and protecting the nation from the hazards of smuggled tobacco products," said BOC Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio. — VDV, GMA Integrated News