BOC Seizes ₱860-M Smuggled Cigarettes in Cebu

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has seized 11 container vans loaded with smuggled cigarettes worth about ₱860 million in a joint operation in Cebu. The latest haul came days after authorities intercepted 23 containers of illicit cigarettes valued at ₱1.7 billion at a private wharf in Manila.

The operation was carried out by the BOC–Port of Cebu with the Philippine Coast Guard, National Bureau of Investigation, Philippine National Police, and Bureau of Internal Revenue. Authorities acted on intelligence reports that the shipments were being transported through domestic shipping routes for distribution.

Operatives first intercepted two 40-foot container vans carrying illicit cigarettes in Mandaue City on June 24. Information from the drivers led authorities to a container yard in Barangay Bacayan, Cebu City, where six more container vans loaded with cigarettes were found.

Further investigation showed that three more container vans were still at a private shipping facility in Mandaue City. Inspection confirmed they also contained illicit cigarettes, bringing the total number of intercepted containers to 11.

BOC Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno said the bureau will continue efforts to curb the illegal cigarette trade, which hurts legitimate businesses and deprives the government of revenue. He said the BOC will sustain intelligence operations and coordination with partner agencies to dismantle smuggling networks.

The Cebu operation brought the total value of illicit cigarette shipments seized by the BOC this week to about ₱2.56 billion. District Collector Alexandra Yap-Lumontad said the successful operation highlighted the importance of strong inter-agency coordination in strengthening enforcement against illicit trade. Vito Barcelo Jr.