DESTROYED. A backhoe crushes smuggled cigarette-making machines and other equipment at the Port of Clark on Monday (Nov. 18, 2019). Customs officials seized the items last February 19 and forfeited last July 26 for violation of Section 1113 (f) and (l) of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act. (Photo courtesy of Port of Clark)
MANILA -- Customs officials on Monday destroyed several units of smuggled cigarette manufacturing machines, fake cigarette master cases and other packaging materials at the Port of Clark.
In a statement, the Bureau of Customs said seven units of cigarette-making machines, one plastic recycling machine, one manual lifter, one generator set, and one generator cooling system were crushed by a backhoe.
The items were seized last February 19 and forfeited last July 26 for violation of Section 1113 (f) and (l) of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA).
The BOC said the activity sends a strong message to smugglers to stop their illegal business practices, shortchanging the government of the rightful revenues.
The destruction was witnessed by Port of Clark personnel led by District Collector Ruby Alameda, representatives from the Ports Operations Service, National Tobacco Corporation, Commission on Audit, Japan Tobacco Inc. and Philip Morris Fortune Tobacco Corp. (PMFTC).
On the other hand, the Port of Clark is set to destroy two sets of cigarette manufacturing machines, one set semi-automatic strapping machine, plastic shredding facility, 145 cigarette master cases, packaging materials, and tax stamps on Tuesday.
The same were seized last March 5, 2018 and forfeited last August 6 for violation of Section 118 and 1113 (f) and (l) of the CMTA, Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Law, National Tobacco Administration (NTA) Circular No. 3-2014, BOC Memorandum Circular No. 15-2015 and 20-2006 and BIR Revenue Regulation No. 1-97. (PNA)
