Bureau of Customs seizes P9-M smuggled cigarettes, fireworks

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Customs (BOC) recently seized two shipments of smuggled cigarettes and fireworks from China worth about P9 million at the Port of Manila.

In a statement issued yesterday, BOC  Commissioner Isidro Lapeña said the first shipment, in two 40-footer containers, was consigned to Paragon Platinum International Trading Corp. in Binondo, Manila.

He said the shipment arrived on Feb. 21 and was declared as “brackets” but Customs authorities found cigarettes worth about P8.2 million upon inspection.

The BOC chief identified the Customs broker as Bernandine Miranda.

Lapeña said the second shipment was also seized for misdeclaration.

The shipment consigned to Power Buster Marketing in Tanza, Cavite was declared as “footwear” but contained fireworks, he said.

The fireworks will be turned over to Philippine National Police-Firearms and Explosives Office for proper disposition while the cigarettes are subject to destruction, Lapeña said. 

Both shipments are now waiting for the issuance of warrant of seizure and detention while charges will be filed against the importers for violation of Section 1400 of Republic Act 10863 or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act. 

“These apprehensions are results of the enhanced border protection of the ports and the continued suspension of the green lane,” Lapeña added.