The Bureau of Customs (BOC) – Port of Subic seized various illicit cigarettes worth P253 Million from June to July 2022.

In June 2022 alone, 972 master cases of cigarettes consigned to Thousand Sunny, valued at P40.09 million, were confiscated. The Port also intercepted 1,003 master cases of cigarettes worth P41.3 million, consigned to Russhi Knish Consumer.

Another shipment of Thousand Sunny Enterprise arrived at the Port despite the revocation of their accreditation. It contained 1,000 master cases of assorted cigarettes valued at P42.2 million.

In July 2022, the Port seized another 2,157 master cases of cigarettes consigned to Proline Logistics Philippines Inc., amounting to P84.9 million.

The BOC-Subic also received information that another shipment consigned to Proline Logistics Inc. would arrive at the Port.

The BOC immediately issued a Pre-lodgment Control Order against the subject shipment, which contained 1,122 master cases of Marvels Filter Kings Cigarettes valued at 46,276,890.00.

The Port of Subic, headed by District Collector Maritess Martin, with representatives of the Enforcement and Security Service, Customs Intelligence & Investigation Service, X-ray Inspection Project, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, Philippine Coast Guard, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, Subic Bay International Terminal Corp., and Chamber of Customs Brokers, Inc. led the inspection of all subject shipments.

The Port issued Warrants of Seizure and Detention against the shipments for violation of National Tobacco Administration (NTA) Memorandum Circular No. 03 series of 2004, NTA Board Resolution No. 079-2005, and Bureau of Internal Revenue Memorandum Circular No. 79-2022, to Section 1113 (f) of the Republic Act No. 10863, otherwise known as the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA).

Martin vowed to protect the national borders against unscrupulous importers and illicit traders through intensified profiling and monitoring of import goods.