By Ferdinand Patinio
MANILA – The Bureau of Customs (BOC) on Wednesday inspected a warehouse in Plaridel, Bulacan, leading to the discovery of approximately PHP605.29 million worth of illicit cigarettes with Chinese and Vietnamese markings.
In a statement, Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno said the inspection was conducted through the virtue of a Letter of Authority, following intelligence reports from the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service-Manila International Container Port (CIIS-MICP) led by Intelligence Officer 4 Alvin Enciso, of suspicious warehouse activities.
During the operation, BOC operatives uncovered 8,647 master cases of imported cigarettes without the required Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) tax stamps and the Philippine government-mandated graphic health warnings.
Nepomuceno added that three individuals were apprehended during the inspection and are now undergoing inquest proceedings before the Department of Justice.
The operation was spearheaded by the BOC’s Intelligence and Enforcement Groups, with the Intellectual Property Rights Division, CIIS-MICP, and Enforcement and Security Service–Port of Manila, in coordination with the Philippine Coast Guard, and barangay officials of Bulihan, Plaridel, Bulacan.
Likewise, a warrant of seizure and detention will be issued for violation of Section 263 of the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC) of 1997, as amended, National Tobacco Administration (NTA) Memorandum Circular No. 02, s.2020, and Section 1113 of Republic Act No. 10863, otherwise known as the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA).
Nepomuceno added that criminal complaints will be filed against the registered owner and proprietor of the warehouse where the illicit cigarettes were discovered.
“Our proactive enforcement ensures that we are fully compliant with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to stop illicit cigarettes from infiltrating legitimate trade channels and protect the welfare of our citizen,” the BOC chief said. (PNA)
