ZAMBOANGA CITY – The Bureau of Customs (BOC)-Zamboanga District has confiscated PHP153 million worth of smuggled goods in its area of jurisdiction since January this year.
Segundo Sigmundreud Barte Jr., the BOC-Zamboanga District collector, said the apprehensions were made together with partner law enforcement agencies.
“We will not cease to continue intensifying border control against smuggling and other customs fraud,” Barte said in a statement Friday.
The latest confiscation of smuggled cigarettes by BOC-Zamboanga and partner agencies were made this week in the city and Indanan, Sulu, amounting to PHP9.6 million and PHP5.6 million, respectively.
Barte said the PHP9.6 million smuggled cigarettes seized in the city were bound for Cotabato City coming from Jolo, Sulu.
BOC destroyed PHP110 million worth of smuggled cigarettes on orders from the BOC central office, he added.
The BOC-Zamboanga’s area of jurisdiction include Zamboanga City, and the provinces of Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Zamboanga Sibugay, Zamboanga del Sur, and Zamboanga del Norte. (PNA)
