Government agents discovered more than P605 million worth of smuggled cigarettes bearing labels from China and Vietnam while inspecting a warehouse in Plaridel, Bulacan, on Tuesday.
The inspection was conducted by virtue of a Letter of Authority, following intelligence reports from the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service – Manila International Container Port (CIIS-MICP) led by Intelligence Officer 4 Alvin Enciso of suspicious activities at the establishment.
During the operation, the authorities uncovered 8,647 master cases of imported cigarettes without the required Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) tax stamps and the Philippine-mandated graphic health warnings.
Three individuals were apprehended during the inspection and are now undergoing inquest proceedings before the Department of Justice.
The establishment will be issued a Warrant of Seizure and Detention for violating Section 263 of the National Internal Revenue Code, National Tobacco Administration Memorandum Circular No. 02, s.2020, and Section 1113 of Republic Act No. 10863, also known as the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.
In addition, criminal complaints will be filed against the registered owner and proprietor of the warehouse where the illicit cigarettes were discovered.
“Our proactive enforcement ensures that we are fully compliant with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to stop illicit cigarettes from infiltrating legitimate trade channels and protect the welfare of our citizens,” said Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno.
The Customs bureau affirms its unwavering stance in implementing stringent enforcement actions to hold smugglers and illicit cigarette traders fully accountable under the law.
