BOC seizes P83.7-M smuggled cigarettes in Bulacan

Operatives from the Bureau of Customs-Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (BOC-CIIS) seized P83.7 million worth of smuggled cigarettes from a warehouse in Bocaue, Bulacan.

The operation on Thursday, led by CIIS-Manila International Container Port (CIIS-MICP) agents, confiscated a total of 717 mastercases of assorted branded cigarettes inside the warehouse as well as six trucks loaded with cigarettes. 

“Smugglers should know by now that if they try to smuggle drugs, cigarettes, counterfeit items, and many others through our borders, they will get caught and be persecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Our agents are unwavering in their mission to protect our communities from the danger that these smuggled items pose,” BOC Commissioner Bien Rubio said in a press release. 

BOC-CIIS Director Verne Enciso said that after receiving derogatory information about the possible presence of smuggled cigarettes in the warehouse, their team immediately verified the information and proceeded to request a Letter of Authority (LOA) from Commissioner Rubio.

Upon arriving in the warehouse, the team found the mastercase of assorted brands of cigarettes.
They also found six trucks there loaded with the said cigarettes.

“We have estimated the total value of these cigarettes to be around P83,700,000, although a full inventory will still be done to determine the actual value of the items. For now, the warehouse has been sealed and padlocked to ensure the security of the goods until a full inventory is done,” Enciso said.

The CIIS-MICP agents were joined in the operation by personnel from the Philippine Coast Guard-Task Force Aduana (PCG-TFA) and in coordination with the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group’s (PNP-CIDG) Anti-Fraud and Commercial Crimes Unit.

Deputy Commissioner for Intelligence Group Juvymax Uy lauded the operation, pointing out the strict vigilance that CIIS-MICP agents employ to get to the bottom of the smuggling activities.—Anna Felicia Bajo/LDF, GMA Integrated News