MANILA, Philippines – Around 90 boxes of smuggled cigarettes estimated to be worth P2.4 million were seized in transit by the operatives of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) at the Port of Zamboanga last Saturday (Sept. 28).
The BOC said the smuggled cigarettes were intercepted aboard MJ Champion, a wooden watercraft locally known as “Jungkung” from Jolo, Sulu, during a joint operation in the waters off Istanbak in Lower Calarian, Zamboanga City.
BOC-Zamboanga District Collector Atty. Segundo Barte Jr. said the operation was launched after they received information that an undetermined number of smuggled cigarettes will be transported and distributed in Magay and Sta. Cruz Public Markets in Zamboanga City.
The operation was carried out by the BOC with the elements of the Philippine Coast Guard, Task Force Aduana, Naval Intelligence and Security Group Western Mindanao and Naval Special Operations Unit.
“A Warrant of Seizure and Detention (WSD) 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 No. 10863, otherwise known as Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA),” the BOC said.
“A WSD will also be issued against the vessel, MJ Champion, for transporting the smuggled cigarettes which is a violation of Section 1113 of the CMTA,” it added.
Last September 18, around 30 cartons of assorted cigarettes estimated to be worth P900,000 were also seized at the Port of Zamboanga. The cartons were loaded into two hatch back type vehicles inside the pier area.
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