BOC seizes P38 million smuggled cigarettes
MANILA, Philippines — Agents of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) have confiscated at the Manila International Container Port (MICP) around P38 million worth of cigarettes reportedly smuggled from China.
The illegal shipment included 1,090 master cases of cigarettes with brands such as Marvel, Mighty and Astro. The items were allegedly misdeclared as stretch film-type packing materials.
According to Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) chief Alvin Enciso, the shipment was consigned to Green Nature Alliance Ventures.
Since the company has an existing derogatory record with the BOC, Enciso said Green Nature’s succeeding import shipments would be flagged and placed in the red lane.
MICP district collector Romeo Allan Rosales ordered a thorough physical examination of the items after the issuance of a pre-lodgment control order (PLCO).
“There has been a derogatory information before the lodgment of goods declaration. That was the basis of the PLCO. We acted on it based on the information that we received,” Enciso said.
Personnel of the CIIS and Enforcement and Security Service were present during the examination of the shipment.
A warrant of seizure and detention was issued for the shipment for violation of Republic Act 10863 or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act as well as regulations of the National Tobacco Authority.
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