- BOC, PNP inspect P156.4-M illicit cigarettes at Davao port
BUREAU of Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno and regional police chief BGen Leon Victor Z. Rosete inspected P156.4 million worth of seized illicit cigarettes at the Port of Davao on Thursday, April 9.
The contraband, totaling 182,821 reams with an estimated value of P156,436,273.28, was recovered during two separate intelligence-driven operations earlier this year:
- January 6 – 124,150 reams seized (valued at P106.23 million).
- April 3 – 58,671 reams seized (valued at P50.20 million).
Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (BAR) director BGen Jaysen C. De Guzman and Davao City Police Office (DCPO) director Col Peter B. Madria also attended the inspection.
The smuggled items were discovered in various warehouses following the issuance of letters of authority.
Notably, some of the seizures occurred within BARMM, highlighting the inter-regional coordination between police units and the BOC’s Enforcement and Security Service.
The crackdown followed the direct mandate from President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to intensify the fight against smuggling and protect national revenue.
Officials confirmed that the cigarettes lacked the necessary permits and documentation required under Philippine law.
“PRO XI will continue to intensify its support to partner agencies in the fight against smuggling,” Rosete said. “This is in line with our commitment to uphold the law and ensure that those engaged in illegal activities are held accountable.”
The BOC confirmed that the seized goods are being processed for violations of Republic Act No. 12022 (Anti-Agricultural Sabotage Act) and Republic Act No. 10863 (Customs Modernization and Tariff Act).
