Advancing President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s call for enhanced enforcement against smuggling, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) inspected a warehouse in Plaridel, Bulacan, leading to the discovery of approximately P605.29 million worth of illicit cigarettes with markings indicating China and Vietnam.
The inspection was conducted by virtue of a Letter of Authority, following intelligence reports of suspicious warehouse activities.
During the operation, BOC operatives, led by LOA Team Leader IO3 Paul Pacunayen, 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.
The operation was spearheaded by the BOC’s Intelligence and Enforcement Groups, with the Intellectual Property Rights Division, Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service–Manila International Container Port, and Enforcement and Security Service–Port of Manila, in coordination with the Philippine Coast Guard, and barangay officials of Bulihan, Plaridel, Bulacan.
“Our proactive enforcement ensures that we are fully compliant with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to stop illicit cigarettes from infiltrating legitimate trade channels and protect the welfare of our citizens.”
“Our proactive enforcement ensures that we are fully compliant with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to stop illicit cigarettes from infiltrating legitimate trade channels and protect the welfare of our citizens,” Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno remarked.
Three individuals were apprehended during the inspection and are now undergoing inquest proceedings before the Department of Justice.
A Warrant of Seizure and Detention will likewise be issued for violation of Section 263 of the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC) of 1997, as amended, National Tobacco Administration (NTA) Memorandum Circular No. 02, s.2020, and Section 1113 of Republic Act No. 10863, otherwise known as the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA).
Criminal complaints will be filed against the registered owner and proprietor of the warehouse where the illicit cigarettes were discovered.
In addition, criminal complaints will be filed against the registered owner and proprietor of the warehouse where the illicit cigarettes were discovered.
“The BOC affirms its unwavering stance in implementing stringent enforcement actions to hold smugglers and illicit cigarette traders fully accountable under the law,” Nepomuceno concluded.
