The Bureau of Customs (BOC) seized around 800 boxes of imported cigarettes hidden in a container during a raid conducted March 22 at the Mindanao Container Terminal (MCT) in Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental.
BOC Intelligence Group deputy commissioner Teddy Raval said the shipment, declared to contain disposable diapers, turned out to hold boxes of imported cigarettes hidden under the diapers.
“The raid is the result of information we received from our foreign counterpart saying the shipment was due to arrive in the Philippines,” Raval said in a statement.
The shipment arrived at MCT from Singapore last December 13 and was consigned to Black Petal Commercial in Barangay Tablon, Cagayan de Oro (CDO) City.
Samson Pacasum, MCT sub-port collector, said the consignee was given 15 days to produce the documents necessary to claim the cargo, but the recipient failed to do so, resulting in the seizure of the shipment.
OIC-Chief Alvin Enciso of the CDO Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service said the premium-quality cigarettes were intended for Chinese nationals living in the Philippines, and were priced at P500 to P600 per pack in the local market.
Among the confiscated goods were boxes bearing the Septwolves and Farstar cigarette brands.
Charges will be filed against those behind the illegal shipment for violating the provisions of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act as well as the rules and regulations of the National Tobacco Administration.
Image courtesy of hinnamsaisuy at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
