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The Bureau of Customs seized 1,038 master cases of undocumented cigarettes worth an estimated P36.33 million
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The shipment was discovered in an abandoned warehouse in Zamboanga City
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The follow-up operation was conducted after a shooting incident on January 24
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The cigarettes have been secured in a monitored warehouse and are subject to the issuance of a Warrant of Seizure and Detention
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) seized 1,038 master cases of undocumented cigarettes worth an estimated P36.33 million at an abandoned warehouse in Barangay Kasanyangan, Zamboanga City.
Confiscated as well during the January 25 operation was a Mitsubishi Canter closed van abandoned near the warehouse, BOC said in a statement.
BOC conducted the joint follow-up operation with various national and local law enforcement agencies after a shooting incident on Dustone Drive, Barangay Kasanyangan on January 24.
Customs conducted an inventory of the seized products together with other law enforcement agencies, while the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency conducted a narcotics detection operation, which yielded negative result for dangerous drugs.
The master cases of cigarettes are subject to the issuance of Warrant of Seizure and Detention for violation of Section 117 (Regulated Importation and Exportation) of Republic Act No. 10863, or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, in relation to Executive Order No. 245 entitled Amended Rules and Regulations Governing the Exportation and Importation of Leaf Tobacco and Tobacco Products.
The apprehended vehicle and cigarettes are secured and stored at a guarded Fast Cargo Logistics warehouse in Barangay Baliwasan, Zamboanga City, monitored and inspected daily by Customs personnel and security guards.
For 2021, BOC said it had conducted 131 seizures of smuggled tobacco/cigarettes worth P1.716 billion.
