Nepomuceno told reporters that the confiscation of said smuggled cigarettes stemmed from operations launched by police operatives on January 6 and April 3 this year, targeting several warehouses in separate areas in Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), following intelligence reports that led to the issuance of Letters of Authority (LOAs) he had earlier signed.
Port of Davao’s Enforcement and Security Service and the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service, alongside the police seized 182,821 reams of assorted cigarette brands valued at P156. 436 million without import permit.
BOC has intensified its crackdown against smuggled cigarettes and other excisable goods upon orfers of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.
Nepomuceno said all contraband are safely stored at the Port of Davao and it is scheduled to be destroyed soon through shredding and soaking.
He assures the destruction process will be conducted transparently and will be witnessed by their personnel and other agencies to ensure that no smuggled goods are resold or recycled.
The smuggled items are subject to violations of Republic Act (RA) 12022 or anti-agricultural sabotage act and RA 10863 or Modernization and Tariff Act.
Meanwhile, Port of Davao under District Collector Maita Acevedo vows to intensify border protection efforts and strengthen enforcement operations to curb smuggling and safeguard national revenue.
BOC chief Ariel Nepomuceno with the Regional Directors of PRO 11 and PRO BAR