₱980M worth of illicit cigarettes seized in Mandaue wharf

CEBU CITY, Philippines — Authorities seized an estimated ₱980 million worth of illicit cigarettes concealed inside 25 container vans during an enforcement operation at a private wharf in Mandaue City, Cebu, on Thursday, July 2.

The Bureau of Customs (BOC), through the Port of Cebu, said the operation targeted 25 identified 20-foot container vans at the facility after the agency issued a Letter of Authority (LOA) and Mission Order authorizing the inspection under Section 224 of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA).

The inspection was conducted by Customs personnel in coordination with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG).

READ: Illicit cigarettes seized in Isabela have P82.33M in tax liabilities – BIR

All containers found to contain illicit cigarettes

According to the BOC, all 25 container vans inspected during the operation were found to contain illicit cigarettes with an estimated value of ₱980 million.

The seizure marks one of the bureau’s latest operations against the illegal tobacco trade as authorities continue efforts to curb cigarette smuggling.

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

Investigation underway

Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno said authorities are continuing their investigation to identify those responsible for the shipment.

Investigators are also working to determine the origin of the illicit cigarettes and establish the full extent of possible violations of customs and related laws.

Authorities have yet to disclose the brands of the seized cigarettes, the consignee or consignees of the shipments, or whether any arrests have been made in connection with the operation.

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