BOC, Zamboanga City police intercept P8 million in alleged smuggled cigarettes

The Bureau of Customs-Port of Zamboanga and the Zambaoanga City police intercepted P8 million worth of allegedly smuggled cigarettes in Barangay Baliwasan last November 2.

In a Saturday Facebook post, the BOC said they seized the 207 master cases of cigarettes with the brand “ARTHUR” onboard a white van during an anti-smuggling operation.

The operation was launched based on a tip that a vehicle was carrying contraband.

The Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) and the Enforcement and Security Service-Customs Police Division (ESS-CPD), the Regional Special Operating Group (RSOG), CIU-Zamboanga City Police Office (ZCPO), and Police Station 11 (PS11) participated in the operation.

BOC District Collector Segundo Sigmundfreud Barte Jr. attributed the successful seizure to the creation of a strengthened Task Force for Anti-Smuggling Operations.

The vehicle and the master cases of cigarettes are now under the custody of the BOC for proper inventory and disposition, for violation of Section 1113 (a) and Section 117 of Republic Act No. 10863, or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act of 2016, in relation to the Tobacco Exportation and Importation Rules and Regulations. — DVM, GMA Integrated News