Smuggled Cigarettes Apprehended by BOC Zamboanga

In line with the Bureau of Customs’ (BOC) drive to ensure border security, BOC Port of Zamboanga in coordination with the Zamboanga Police Office Station 06 seized 143 master cases and 40 reams of Bravo Red Cigarettes aboard a Panel Truck with temporary plate no. 090104 on November 5, 2019 at Urban Poor Drive, Tugbungan, Zamboanga City.

The said smuggled cigarettes was estimated to amount to Php 4.2 million pesos. The cigarettes and the vehicle where the goods were loaded was immediately turned over to the Bureau of Customs for inventory and proper disposition. Meanwhile, the suspects involved in the illegal activity were turned over to Zamboanga Police Office Station 06 for investigation and for filing of possible charges.

The seized articles will be subject to the issuance of a Warrant of Seizure and Detention for violation of Executive Order No. 245 “Amended Rules and Regulations Governing the Exportation and Importation of Tobacco and Tobacco Products” and Sections 1113 (a), (f), (k) and subparagraph (1) and (5) and 117 of R.A 10863 also known as the “Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA) of 2016.

In his statement District Collector Segundo Sigmundfreud Barte Jr. said that the apprehension was due to more intensified anti-smuggling operations of the Bureau which was implemented as part of the marching orders of Commissioner Rey Leonardo B. Guerrero. Barte further stated that the apprehension is aimed to protect the public from the possible health risks that fake and smuggled cigarettes may cause.

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PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE (PIO) Bureau of Customs G/F OCOM Building, South Harbor (Port of Manila), Manila Landline: (+632) 527-8259 Fax: (+632) 527-1968