SEVEN cigarette-making machines under the custody of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) were condemned Thursday, February 7, to serve as warning to smugglers and manufacturers of fake cigarettes, as part of the activities in the celebration of BOC’s 117th founding anniversary.

The imported cigarette-making machines without proof of payment of duties and taxes were seized on different occasions in November and December 2018 by the elements of BOC–Enforcement and Security Service from various warehouses located in Bulacan, Nueva Vizcaya, and Quezon City.

Pursuant to the provision of Section 224 of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA), the owners of the machines were given 15 days to produce evidence of payment of duties and taxes. However, the owner failed to produce such documents.

Warrants of Seizure and Detention were issued against the said machines pursuant to Section 1400 and Section 1113 of the CMTA.

The items were declared forfeited in favor of the government after the owners failed to produce the required documents. (PR)