(Photo courtesy of BOC)
MANILA – The Bureau of Customs (BOC) on Thursday reported the seizure of smuggled cellular phones and various goods worth PHP15 million in Manila last week.
In a statement, the bureau said the officers of the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) of the Manila International Container Port (MICP) seized the items at a storage facility in Paco, Manila on February 4.
Armed with a letter of authority, the composite team inspected the depot and discovered the presence of the goods such as reams of Chinese cigarettes, food items, and medicines.
Also found inside the storage were liquors, cellular phones, cellular phone accessories and power banks.
The BOC said further inventory and investigation will be done for the possible filing of cases for violation of section 1400 of RA 10863 also known as the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA).
Meanwhile, the cigarettes were found to have no permit from the National Tobacco Administration which is a violation of Executive Order 245 and Republic Act 8424 or the National Internal Revenue Code of the Philippines.
The operation was also in coordination with the Philippine Coast Guard. (PNA)
