A total of P9.6 million worth of smuggled cigarettes has been seized by the Bureau of Customs – Collection District XII- Port of Davao and the Philippine Army’s Task Force Davao, including nine different apprehensions at random checkpoints throughout the second half of 2022.

A total of P9.6 million worth of smuggled cigarettes has been seized by the Bureau of Customs – Collection District XII- Port of Davao and the Philippine Army’s Task Force Davao, including nine different apprehensions at random checkpoints throughout the second half of 2022.

District Collector Erastus Sandino B. Austria attributed the accomplishment to the partnerships Customs nurtured and built with security and intelligence agencies. He thanked Task Force Davao for their continued support for Customs.

Throughout 2022, the agency has seized over P245 million worth of petroleum (P116.9million), cigarettes (P110.1 million), vehicles and parts (P15.6 million), agricultural (P1.3 million), and other items (P1.2 million), all suspected of entering the country without proper customs clearance.

Customs Collection District XII-Port of Davao continues its campaign against smuggling as ordered by Customs Commissioner Yogi Filemon Ruiz.

The apprehensions helped realize President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s thrust to level the playing field for businesses and protect the economy as it recovers from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Warrants of seizure and detention have been issued against the alleged smuggled goods for violating Section 1113 in relation to Section 117 and Section 400 of the Republic Act No. 10863, also known as the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA).#