By Alexander Lopez

DESTRUCTION OF CONTRABANDS. A total of 337,644 packs of smuggled cigarettes worth over PHP219 million were destroyed through incineration in Butuan City on Monday (Feb. 24, 2025). The destruction of the contrabands was led by the Bureau of Internal Revenue, Revenue Region No. 17 in the Caraga Region. (Photo courtesy of PIA-13)

BUTUAN CITY – The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), Revenue Region (RR) No. 17 in the Caraga Region, joined the nationwide destruction of illicit cigarettes on Monday by incinerating its previously confiscated smuggled cigarettes, which totaled over PHP219 million.

The contraband was destroyed here at the Richmond Plywood Corporation in Purok 1, Barangay Mahogany, led by RR-17 Director Jose Eric Furia.

Around 337,644 packs of assorted smuggled cigarettes confiscated on different occasions last year were destroyed during the activity.

“The confiscation of these contrabands is the result of the unified efforts of the different agencies of the government in the continuing fight against smuggling,” Furia said.

Top regional officials of the Environmental Management Bureau, the Department of Health, the Department of Trade and Industry, and the Commission on Audit joined the destruction of the confiscated smuggled cigarettes.

“We must remain vigilant against the continued smuggling activities here in our region,” Furia said.

He also acknowledged the support of the private sector in the fight against smuggling in the region. (PNA)