P54 million smuggled cigarettes from China seized in Cebu

CEBU, Philippines — The Bureau of Customs (BOC) seized P54.5 million worth of cigarettes smuggled from China into the Port of Cebu.

BOC-Cebu, in a statement posted on its Facebook page, said it intercepted a 40-foot container with the cigarettes on August 16.

“This latest apprehension affirms the bureau’s continued commitment to protect the country’s borders and collect lawful revenues for the government,” it said.

The shipment consigned to GRR Trading was declared as furniture like drawers, tables, cabinets, and lockers.

But agents from the X-ray Inspection Project (XIP) had discovered irregularities in the shipment’s x-ray image.

Upon examination, it was discovered to contain 1,092 cartons of cigarette brand “Astro.”

The shipment will now be subject to seizure and forfeiture proceedings for violation of Republic Act No. 10863 or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, said BOC-Cebu district collector Charlito Martin Mendoza.

 “After the forfeiture proceedings, we will destroy the shipment,” he said.

Prior to the seizure, Mendoza issued a Pre-lodgment Control Order (PCLO) on August 17 following the request of Carlo Bautista, chief of the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service in Cebu.

“Unlike an ordinary alert order, a PCLO is issued prior to the filing by the importer of an import entry. With a PCLO, we are able to immediately subject the shipment to an intrusive examination based on derogatory information,” Mendoza told The Freeman.

Last June 10, the bureau also seized 1,522 boxes of cigarette brands Mighty and Marvels.

The shipment worth P76 million also came from China and was declared as kitchen tools. — KQD (FREEMAN)