The Bureau of Customs (BOC) – Collection District X has issued a Warrant of Seizure and Detention against heavily tinted van loaded with 2,899 reams of undocumented Fort and Cannon Methol cigarettes intercepted during a checkpoint in Brgy. Maria Cristina, Iligan City with the Traffic Enforcement Unit of the Iligan City Police Office (ICPO) on May 16, 2024.

Upon detailed examination by the assigned Customs examiners, the apprehended cigarettes were found to be manufactured outside the Philippines and lacked the BIR stamp as required by law, thus violating Section 1113 (l)(1) and Section 1401 of Republic Act No. 10863, the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act of 2016.

The 2,899 reams of cigarettes were estimated to be worth P2,319,200.00 based on current market value. Also seized during the operation was the Nissan Urvan which was used to transport smuggled cigarettes.

District Collector Alexandra Y. Lumontad immediately issued a Warrant of Seizure and Detention (WSD) against the subject goods and vehicle upon the recommendation of Coll. Nasrudin D. Guro of the Sub-Port of Iligan, in accordance with R.A. 10863 and other relevant Customs rules and regulations.

Affirming BOC’s commitment to its mission of preventing the infiltration of unregulated cigarettes in the local market, BOC Commissioner Bienvenido Y. Rubio expressed, “The BOC is firm in its stance to protect our citizens against the harmful effects of unlawful tobacco products. This determination is exemplified by the series of crackdowns on these commodities. This is also in response to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s call to the bureau to intensify our efforts in combating the illicit tobacco trade.”