The Bureau of Customs-Enforcement Group (BOC-EG) seized early this month P12.675 million worth of fake imported cigarettes, the agency’s biggest haul of such products so far.
The counterfeit cigarettes were discovered stored in different warehouses in Davao City by EG raiders in anti-smuggling operations last December 3.
The EG raiding team brought samples of Marlboro, More, Fortune, Philip Morris, Jackpot, Hope and assorted other cigarettes to Phillip Morris Philippines, Inc. (PMFTC, Inc.) to verify authenticity of the suspected smuggled imports. PMFTC confirmed the samples were not produced by Philip Morris International and were therefore counterfeit.
“The widespread proliferation of fake cigarettes has flooded the local market,” EG deputy commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno said in a statement.
He added, “We cannot blame these retail stores for buying these counterfeit cigarettes since these are sold for a cheaper price. Why wouldn’t it be cheap? These suppliers import these cigarettes but do not pay proper taxes and duties.”
Customs officials have served a warrant of seizure and detention to HBTT Marketing Warehouse, owner of the storage places for the fake cigarettes in Davao. The warrant was issued against HBTT for violation of Section 2530 of the Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines on non-payment of duties and taxes, and in relation to Intellectual Property Rights Law.
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