BoC-Cebu seizes P76M of smuggled cigarettes

THE Bureau of Customs-Port of Cebu (BoC-Cebu) seized over the weekend over P76 million worth of smuggled cigarettes as unscrupulous importers and brokers take advantage of the challenges brought by the novel coronavirus.

Seized by operatives of the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service were 1,522 master cases of Mighty and Marvel brand cigarettes, which authorities believed were fake.

The shipment, which came from China, was consigned to Giomab Trading. It was misdeclared as “oval dish.”

A warrant of seizure and detention was immediately issued against the entire shipment by the district collector of the BoC-Cebu.

Meanwhile, BoC-Port of Clark turned over various forfeited and abandoned shipments of firearms and accessories to the Philippine National Police (PNP).

The shipments include 17 pieces of rifle scope, four pieces front and four pieces rear sights, telescopic sights, air soft knights SR-16 Carbine, 10 pieces Kevlar helmets, breast plates, eight cans of pellets and gun magazine, bullet proof vest and assorted gun parts which are covered by warrant of seizure and detention and abandonment proceedings.

These were seized and forfeited for lack of authority to import from PNP-Firearms and Explosives Office, a violation of Section 117 of Republic Act ( RA) 10863 or the “Customs Modernization and Tariff Act” and RA 10591 or the “Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.”