Bureau of Customs (BOC) reported Thursday authorities intercepted P8.275 million worth of assorted smuggled cigarettes in Zamboanga City.
Around 300 boxes of smuggled Bravo, Fort, Tradition, LS, Astro cigarettes were found onboard vessel MJ NR 4 in Barangay Lower Calarian in Zamboanga City. The BOC-Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) Zamboanga Operatives, in coordination with the Naval Intelligence and Security Group-Western Mindanao (NISG-WM) and Naval Special Operating Unit (NAVSOU) conducted the operation on April 14.
Authorities received a report that a motorized banca loaded with alleged smuggled cigarettes from Jolo, Sulu, is docked within the premises of Stanvac Lower Calarian, Zamboanga City.
The BOC said the smuggled cigarettes would be subjected to the issuance of Warrant of Seizure and Detention (WSD) for lack of permit from the National Tobacco Administration (NTA) and violation of Executive Order No. 245 and Republic Act No. 10863.
Executive No. 245 is the Amended Rules and Regulations Governing the Exportation and Importation of Tobacco and Tobacco Products, while Republic Act No. 10863 refers to the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.
BOC Zamboanga would continue to heighten its campaign against smuggled cigarettes even if efforts to mitigate the effects of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) are being implemented, District Collector Segundo Sigmundfreud Barte Jr. said.
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In January 2020, the NBI raided a factory of illegal cigarettes in Brgy. Pandacaqui, Mexico, Pampanga.
Bureau of Internal Revenue Officer Remedios Advicula Jr., in cooperation with NBI and PNP, raided a warehouse converted into a factory which is manufacturing fake cigarette brands Marlboro, Mighty, and Marvel. The cigarettes were put in electric fan boxes.
It was learned that the factory’s machine operators and supervisors are Chinese nationals while its employees are residents of Buhi, Camarines Sur, and Bulan, Sorsogon.
Six manufacturing machines with one maker and one packer line were seized at the illegal cigarettes factory.
According to Advincula, the raid was part of the government’s efforts under Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez and BIR Commissioner Ceasar in connection with the government’s tax collection.
Advincula also called on the public to assist the government and the BIR in reaching the target of tax collection to finance the government’s social and economic programs.
Also read: Fake cigarettes worth over P4M seized in Manila; 2 Chinese arrested