P183 million smuggled cigarettes destroyed

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — Smuggled cigarettes with an estimated value of P183 million were destroyed by the Bureau of Customs (BOC) in this city yesterday.

The cigarettes were seized in previous anti-smuggling operations in Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi as well as in Zamboanga peninsula, according to BOC district collector Segundo Barte Jr.

“The destruction is part of the mandate of the bureau to strengthen border protection and prevent entry of illegal goods,” Barte said.

More than 5,200 cases of assorted cigarette brands spread in front of the BOC warehouse were drenched with water and rolled over by a backhoe.

The damaged cigarettes were taken to a sanitary landfill for disposal.

The destruction was witnessed by local officials, law enforcers and representatives of the Commission on Audit and Department of Health.

The port of Zamboanga seized more than P2.2 billion worth of smuggled cigarettes from January to November this year, Barte said.