In its continuous effort to crackdown illicit cigarettes smuggling activities, the Bureau of Customs – Port of Cagayan de Oro (BOC-CDO), under the leadership of District Collector Alexandra Y. Lumontad, issued a Warrant of Seizure and Detention on June 25, 2024, against 350 reams of undocumented cigarettes intercepted in Brgy. North Poblacion, Guinsiliban, Camiguin.

The subject undocumented cigarettes were ordered seized for violation of Section 1113 (a)(f)(k) and Section 117 of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA) in relation to National Tobacco Administration Rules and Regulations.

The subject 350 reams of cigarettes were estimated to be worth P280,000.00 based on current market value. Also seized during the operation was the Wing Van Truck used to transport the smuggled cigarettes.

Since May, 2024, the BOC-CDO, together with the Philippine National Police (PNP), apprehended an aggregate estimated amount of P25,775,440.00 worth of illegally smuggled cigarettes thru its intensive anti-smuggling operations in Northern Mindanao and nearby provinces.

Commissioner Bienvenido Y. Rubio stated, “Addressing and preventing the illegal tobacco trade practices requires a team effort. It is crucial to coordinate with other law enforcement agencies. Hence, we will double our efforts to work closely with the PNP and other enforcement agencies to put an end to these unlawful activities.”