The Bureau of Customs ramped up its anti-smuggling drive on Friday as Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno personally led the inspection of a shipment at the Port of Batangas containing an estimated P235 million worth of smuggled cigarettes from the United Arab Emirates.
In a statement, the BOC said the shipment consisted of 637 master cases of MAC Super Slim Ice Cool Blast Cigarettes that failed to meet key legal requirements for entry into the country. Authorities found that the products did not carry the mandatory graphic health warnings required under Republic Act 10643, or the Graphic Health Warnings Law.
The shipment was also found to be without the required Bureau of Internal Revenue tax stamps, placing it in violation of the National Internal Revenue Code of the Philippines and further strengthening the case for seizure.
Following the inspection and examination, District Collector Carmelita Talusan issued a warrant of seizure and detention for violations of Sections 117 and 1113 of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.
Nepomuceno said the bureau will continue to intensify its intelligence-driven enforcement operations as it presses its campaign against the illicit tobacco trade, which undermines government revenues, distorts fair competition, and poses risks to public health.
“Those who attempt to exploit the country’s borders for illegal trade will face the full force of the law,” Nepomuceno warned.
The latest operation adds to a growing list of successful anti-cigarette smuggling actions by the bureau. From January 1 to March 6 alone, the BOC recorded 127 successful cigarette-related interdictions nationwide, leading to the seizure of around P2 billion worth of illicit cigarette products.
Nepomuceno said the bureau is further strengthening coordination with partner law enforcement agencies to sustain a more unified and aggressive campaign against illegal tobacco shipments entering the country.
“The BOC continues to strengthen coordination with partner law enforcement agencies to pursue a more coordinated and whole-of-government approach in combating illicit tobacco trade, one of the persistent threats to public health and fair market competition,” he said.
The seizure underscores the BOC’s intensified border protection efforts as it sharpens its focus on high-value smuggling activities and reinforces its commitment to keeping unlawful goods out of the Philippine market.
