More than 2,000 reams of smuggled cigarettes worth P1.2 million were uncovered in three passenger vessels in Zamboanga Wednesday, the Bureau of Customs said.
A total of 2,125 reams of cigarettes were found inside the three vessels from Jolo, Sulu, MV Mama Mia, MV Mary Joy 1, and MV Asian Stars.
Agents from the Customs Enforcement and Security Service and Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service confiscated the items for prompt destruction, Zamboanga District Collector Segundo Sigmundfreud Barte said.
The Naval Intelligence and Security Group-Western Mindanao and the Philippine Coast Guard were also part of the raiding team.
With the large haul of smuggled cigarettes, Barte expressed concerns over the prevalent entry of smuggled cigarettes in the area but vowed that the bureau and other law enforcement agencies had intensified their watch over entry of smuggled goods through the Philippines’ backdoor.
A Warrant of Seizure and Detention will be issued against the smuggled cigarettes for violation of Executive Order No. 245, the Amended Rules and Regulations Governing the Exportation and Importation of Leaf Tobacco and Tobacco Products and Section 117 of Republic Act 10863 otherwise known as Customs Modernization and Tariff Act. (Betheena Kae Unite)
