DAVAO CITY –— The combined government operations led by Bureau of Customs in Zamboanga port resulted to the confiscation of P55-million worth of smuggled cigarette which was loaded in a motor launch on Sunday, May 31.
The BOC in a press statement said “The operation stemmed from information that a motor launch from Indonesia loaded with assorted smuggled cigarettes was bound for Siasi, Sulu. The joint group of operatives onboard a vessel conducted inspection upon its arrival at Ensign Majini Pier.”
The inspection resulted in the apprehension of 2,500 smuggled master cases. Members of ESS are currently conducting an inventory of the apprehended cigarettes which shall be subjected to seizure and condemnation procedures.
The Bureau of Customs has intensified its campaign against the smuggling of various goods into the country. Most recently, it scored big in raiding an illegal cigarette manufacturing warehouse in Naguilian, Isabela suspected of making counterfeit cigarettes estimated to have a value of Php 1 billion.
The team was composed of Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) and Enforcement and Security Service (ESS) field offices in Zamboanga, in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and Philippine Marines K9-unit of Western Mindanao Command (WESMINCOM), the statement added.-Newsline
