The Bureau of Customs (BOC) – Port of Davao recently seized 499 master cases consisting of 24,950 reams of illicit cigarettes with an estimated value of Php 19 million and a used motorized banca along the territorial waters of Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur.

The BOC Water Patrol Division (WPD) was patrolling the gulf of Davao Coast when it sighted a low-lying kneel banca “MV Amiesha” and its cargo covered with tarpaulin. Upon inspection, crew members failed to present legal documents for the alleged smuggled cigarettes.

The master cases of cigarettes were then seized in violation of Section 117 of R.A. 10863 or the “Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA) of 2016 in relation to Executive Order Number 245 entitled “Amended Rules and Regulations Governing the Exportation and Importation of Leaf Tobacco and Tobacco Products.”

District Collector Erastus Sandino Austria already issued a Warrant of Seizure and Detention (WSD) against the smuggled cigarettes.

BOC District XII vigilantly implements the priority programs of Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio to curb smuggling of any form, aligned with the economic agenda of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr in upholding public order and safety by safeguarding the local citizens from harmful consumption of smuggled goods.

“BOC continues to strengthen its border protection measures to guard the public welfare against smuggled contraband and to prevent revenue leakages caused by illegal importation,” Rubio said.#