The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has intercepted more than P160 million worth of fake cigarettes as well as cigarette-making machines and other smuggled goods stored in two warehouses in Bulacan province.
Armed with letters of authority issued by the Office of the Commissioner, customs agents headed by Enforcement and Security Group (ESS) director Yogi Filemon Ruiz on June 13 went to the warehouses located in Marilao and Sta. Maria, Bulacan, to conduct investigation and examination.
In a statement, BOC said the operatives found in a warehouse on Benedicto Street, Prenza Uno, Marilao, some 1,339 master cases of fake Mighty, Fortune, Hope, Belmont, Marlboro, Modern, Double Happiness, and Camel cigarettes valued at P40.170 million.
Nine cigarette-making machines and fake cigarette tax stamps worth P120 million were then discovered in a warehouse in Kaybanto, Caysio Road, Brgy. Caysio, Sta. Maria. Other seized items included imported drinking glasses and wall clocks.
Warrants of seizure and detention will be issued against the captured items pursuant to Section 1113 of Republic Act (RA) No. 10863, otherwise known as the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act in relation to Section 1401, and RA 8293, or the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines.
The series of apprehensions is the result of tighter enforcement operations being conducted by BOC operatives, the customs bureau said.
