The Bureau of Customs (BOC)-Port of Davao through its Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS), X-ray Inspection Project (XIP), and Enforcement Security Service (ESS) and in coordination with the Philippine National Police (PNP) Regional Special Operations Group (RSOG) XI, seized 690 master cases of smuggled cigarettes with an estimated value of Php 20 million in a joint buy-bust operation on March 24, 2022, at Hagonoy, Davao del Sur.

The buy-bust operation resulted in the apprehension of various cigarettes brands such as Wilson, Champion, EXXE, Absolute Blue, among others.

District Collector, Atty. Erastus Sandino B. Austria already issued a Warrant of Seizure and Detention against the smuggled goods for violating Section 117 and Section 1400 of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA).

BOC assures the public that it will remain vigilant in protecting the country’s borders against the entry of smuggled goods including cigarettes which disrupt the nation’s tobacco industry.