The Bureau of Customs (BOC)-Port of Cagayan de Oro has foiled an attempt to smuggle two containers of cigarettes valued at P160 million after a spot-check examination at Mindanao Container Terminal Port, PHIVIDEC Compound, Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental on January 18.

The shipments arrived on December 16, 2022, from China.

The consignees declared the shipment as “personal effects.” It underwent spot-check 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 spot check examination led by the assigned customs examiner and witnessed by BOC officials, PDEA 10, and Chamber of Customs Brokers Inc. representative, indicated that the shipments contained “New Berlin” cigarettes in 2,000 master cases.

District Collector Alexandra Yap-Lumontad immediately issued a Pre-Lodgement Control Order (PLCO) against the subject shipment for possible violation of Sec. 1400 of the R.A. 10863, otherwise known as the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.

Warrants of Seizure and Detention (WSD) will be issued against the smuggled cigarettes for misdeclaration.

The seizure was part of the port’s commitment to supporting the priority program of Customs Commissioner Yogi Filemon Ruiz to protect national borders by curbing all forms of smuggling and was aligned with the directives of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to the Bureau of Customs.