THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) has confiscated more than 10,700 reams of cigarettes worth P2.5 million reportedly abandoned by its importer at the Port of Cagayan de Oro.
In a statement, the BOC said the undocumented cigarettes were found last Oct. 24 in an unclaimed container van aboard a ten-wheeler truck in Brgy. Puntod, Cagayan de Oro City.
The discovery was made following information from the regional police office about the entry of smuggled cigarettes.
Subsequent inventory conducted by a Customs examiner confirmed that the container van held 215 master cases of Modern-brand cigarettes, totalling 10,750 reams, with an estimated value of P2.5 million based on current market rates.
The cigarettes were seized for lack of the required Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) from the National Tobacco Administration (NTA).
The vehicle used to transport the goods was also seized for violating Sections 1113 (a) and for carrying smuggled cigarettes.
Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio reaffirmed the BOC’s commitment to securing the country’s borders.
“This operation demonstrates our ongoing efforts in mitigating the dangers of illicit cigarettes. We will continue to collaborate with our partners in enforcement to ensure proper legal procedures are followed and hold those responsible accountable. This operation is part of our broader initiative to strengthen border security and enforce compliance with the law,” Rubio said.
