In its ongoing campaign against illicit cigarettes, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) Port of Cagayan de Oro, under the leadership of District Collector Arthur G. Sevilla, Jr., issued a Warrant of Seizure and Detention (WSD) on November 4, 2024, against 10,750 reams of undocumented cigarettes discovered in an abandoned 1×10’ container van onboard a ten-wheeler truck in Brgy. Puntod, Cagayan de Oro City, on October 24, 2024.

The Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) of the Port of Cagayan de Oro, in collaboration with the Regional Maritime Unit 10 and Regional Special Operations Unit 10, conducted a joint operation after receiving information from the Regional Director of Police Regional Office 10 about the entry of illicit cigarettes.

An inventory conducted by a Customs examiner confirmed that the container van held 215 master cases of Modern-brand cigarettes, totaling 10,750 reams, with an estimated value of PhP2.5 million based on current market rates.

The cigarettes were seized for violating Sections 1113 (f)(l) and 117 of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA), due to the absence of the required Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) from the National Tobacco Administration (NTA). The vehicle used to transport the goods was also seized for violating Sections 1113 (a) and (k) of the CMTA for carrying the smuggled cigarettes.

The BOC-Port of Cagayan de Oro continues to coordinate closely with other law enforcement agencies in Northern Mindanao, including the Regional Prosecutor’s Office, to ensure that proper procedures are followed in handling tobacco smuggling cases. This effort supports BOC Commissioner Bienvenido Y. Rubio’s directive to secure all borders against illicit goods and strengthen the country’s border protection.

Commissioner Rubio reaffirmed the BOC’s commitment to securing the country’s borders, stating, “This operation demonstrates our ongoing efforts in mitigating the dangers of illicit cigarettes. We will continue to collaborate with our partners in enforcement to ensure proper legal procedures are followed and hold those responsible accountable. This operation is part of our broader initiative to strengthen border security and enforce compliance with the law.”