The Bureau of Customs seized smuggled counterfeit cigarettes worth at least P157 million in two separate operations in Port of Manila and Port of Subic.
The seized fake cigarettes in Manila were found in a 40-footer container which arrived on August 25 and was declared as cable connectors but suspected to contain undeclared tobacco.
The P36 million shipment consigned to Trendlink Home Source, Inc. was physically examined and yielded misdeclaration of goods. Approximately 800 master cases of fake Fortune and Marlboro branded cigarettes were found and seized.
District Collector Michael Angelo Vargas ordered the issuance of Warrant of Seizure
The second shipment of smuggled fake cigarettes estimated to be worth P121 million arrived at the Port of Subic last August 22, 2020 from China and Hong Kong and said to contain Frozen Cinnamon Bread, Frozen Pineapple Pocket Bread, Snake and Ladder Board Games, Dominos Board Games and Rubber Strips but found to contain various cigarette brands.
According to District Collector Maritess Martin, this latest apprehension of the Port of Subic is the result of the continuous intelligence and investigative work of the Port.
“Also, adopting and catching up to the modus operandi of unscrupulous stakeholders played a big role in this apprehension for this is the first time that the BOC has seized cigarettes concealed in a refrigerated container van,” Martin explained.
She said it is a general knowledge that cigarettes cannot be stored in high moisture containers like reefer vans, yet the smugglers found a way to use this kind of transportation.
“This serves as a warning and reminder to all that BOC will not let up in its effort to protect the border,” said Martin.
