CIGARETTES. Bureau of Customs-Cagayan de Oro foils an attempt to smuggle two shipments of cigarettes from China worth P160 million and declared as "personal effects." The 2,000 master cases of cigarettes were shipped in two container vans. (Photo from BOC-CDO.)
MANILA -- The Bureau of Customs (BOC)-Port of Cagayan de Oro recently foiled an attempt to smuggle two containers of cigarettes valued at PHP160 million.
In a statement, District Collector Alexandra Yap-Lumontad said the shipments underwent a spot-check examination at the Mindanao Container Terminal Port, PHIVIDEC Compound in Tagoloan town, Misamis Oriental province on Jan. 18, where they discovered the illegal items.
The shipment contained "New Berlin" cigarettes in 2,000 master cases.
The shipment arrived on Dec. 16, 2022, from China, which was declared by the consignees as "personal effects."
Warrants of Seizure and Detention (WSD) will be issued for the smuggled cigarettes for misdeclaration.
The examination was conducted by the assigned customs examiner and witnessed by BOC officials, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency 10, and a Chamber of Customs Brokers Inc. representative.
The shipments underwent examination after a joint request from Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS CDO and Surigao Field Station) led by lawyer Justin Geli and Enforcement and Security Service CDO (ESS CDO) led by S.P./Capt. Abdila Maulana Jr.
The BOC official issued a Pre-Lodgement Control Order (PLCO) against the subject shipment for possible violation of Section 1400 of Republic Act 10863, or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act. (PNA)
