Agents of the Bureau of Customs seized more than P160-million worth of fake cigarettes, cigarette-making machines, and other smuggled goods from two warehouses in Bulacan.
According to the BoC, agents from BoC-Enforcement and Security Service raided the warehouses in Marilao and Sta. Maria on June 13.
The Office of the Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero issued Letters of Authority to the ESS team, headed by Director Yogi Filemon Ruiz, to conduct investigation and examination.
They found inside a warehouse in Marilao about 1,339 master cases of fake Mighty, Fortune, Hope, Belmont, Marlboro, Modern, Double Happiness, and Camel cigarettes.
The confiscated cigarettes were valued at P40.17 million, BoC said in a statement.
In Sta. Maria, the ESS team also found nine cigarette-making machines and fake cigarette tax stamps worth P120 million inside a warehouse. They also seized other items such as imported drinking glasses and wall clocks.
The bureau said that Warrants of Seizure and Detention will be issued on the illegal items.
The apprehension was in pursuant to Section 1113 of Republic Act No. 10863, or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, in relation to Section 1401, thereof and RA 8293 or the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines. (Raymund F. Antonio)