BIR estimates P343.12-M tax on Illicit cigarettes seized in Cebu

MANILA, Philippines — The almost eight million packs of Illicit cigarettes that were seized from 10 40-foot container vans in Cebu City on Wednesday have a total estimated tax liability of P343.12 million, according to a statement released on Thursday by the Bureau of Internal Revenue, whose Central Visayas office led the simultaneous operations.

BIR agents were joined in the operations by personnel from the Central Visayas offices of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), the Philippine National Police (PNP), PNP Regional Maritime Unit, the Bureau of Customs (BOC), and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) District.

They carried out the operations were carried out in Villa Del Rio 1, Barangay Bacayan, Cebu City, and at the Carlos A. Gothong Yard, Pier 7 Area, Cebu City.

Article continues after this advertisement

READ: ₱860M worth of illicit cigarettes seized in Cebu

FEATURED STORIES

NEWSINFO

NEWSINFO

NEWSINFO

They successfully apprehended the 40-foot container vans loaded with suspected illicit cigarette products.

Seven of the vans were seized from Villa Del Rio 1, with an estimated inventory of 3,240,000 packs of cigarettes, while three were intercepted at the Carlos A. Gothong Yard containing approximately 1,482,000 packs.

The total estimated inventory reached 4,722,000 packs of suspected illicit cigarettes with an estimated basic excise tax liability of P343,117,580.

“This successful joint operation underscores the government’s unwavering commitment to protecting legitimate businesses, safeguarding government revenues, and holding accountable those engaged in the illicit cigarette trade. We will continue working closely with our partner agencies to ensure that tax evaders and smugglers face the full force of the law,” said BIR Commissioner Charlito Martin R. Mendoza.

Article continues after this advertisement

READ: BOC seizes over P1.17-B suspected smuggled cigarettes in Cebu port

According to the BIR, the inventory and validation of the seized cigarette products, as well as the determination of the corresponding tax liabilities, are still ongoing.

Article continues after this advertisement

Meanwhile, the authorities are investigating to identify the individuals and entities behind the illegal operation.

Authorities also confirmed that enforcement operations are still ongoing in another location within the Pier 3 Area in Cebu City. /atm

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.

Your subscription has been successful.