P21.6 million cigarettes intercepted in Bicol

 A JOINT operation by the Bureau of Customs (BOC), Philippine National Police-Maritime Group (PNP-MG), Regional Maritime Unit 5, and Ligao Maritime Law Enforcement Team (MLET) resulted to the apprehension of smuggled cigarettes worth P21.6 million last November 21.

Bicol district collector, Guillermo Pedro Francia IV, in a belated report to Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio, said the joint team intercepted the motorized banca, ‘Susie’ in the vicinity of Bgy. Marigondon, Pio Duran, Albay loaded with 377 master cases of “undocumented cigarettes.

The banca was crewed by nine individuals who were unable to present any legal documents for the goods.

Francia said the ocular inspection also revealed that the cigarette packages lacked a revenue seal, evidence that no taxes were paid to the government.

Francia said he had already issued an WSD (warrant of seizure and detention) while an investigation was also conducted to determine the source of the smuggled cigarettes.

For his part, Rubio noted the successful apprehension stemmed from the “strong collaboration with law enforcement agencies, which is essential for protecting legitimate trade and safeguarding public revenue from the detrimental effects of smuggling.”