BOC-Zamboanga destroys over P1.4-B smuggled cigars

ZAMBOANGA City

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The Bureau of Customs (BOC)-Port of Zamboanga led the destruction of more than P1.4 billion worth of smuggled cigarettes here Friday. Engr.

Arthur Sevilla, BOCPort of Zamboanga acting district collector, said the destroyed cigarettes were seized during the series of anti-smuggling operations in the Zamboanga Peninsula, and the island provinces of Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi during the first quarter of the year. He said most of the

19,419 master cases and 667 reams of cigarettes were those seized at a warehouse in Indanan, Sulu on March 2. “This is by far the largest condemnation of seized smuggled cigarettes in the port of Zamboanga,” Sevilla said. The cigarettes were drenched in water and repeatedly crushed by heavy equipment in the presence of partner agencies and stakeholders in the anti-smuggling campaign. The crushed cigarettes were later transported and disposed of at the city’s sanitary landfill in Barangay Salaan. Sevilla assured the BOC-Port of Zamboanga continues to implement intensified anti-smuggling operations and remains steadfast in maintaining closed coordination and collaboration with other law enforcement agencies. He said the condemnation of seized smuggled cigarettes is consistent with the standing order of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. against all forms of smuggling. (PNA)