THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) has destroyed at least P9.4 million worth of smuggled cigarettes confiscated in Zamboanga City, an official announced on Thursday, July 27.
Customs District Collector Halleck Valdez said the 1,185 cases of cigarettes were destroyed on Wednesday, July 26, at the sanitary landfill in the village of Salaan.
The cigarettes were soaked in water first before it was crushed by a steam roller.
Valdez said the cigarettes they destroyed have an estimated worth of P9.4 million since each case is worth around P8,000.
He said the cigarettes were confiscated since last year by BOC personnel, in coordination with the coastguard and navy, for violation of Section 119 of the Tariff and Customs Laws of the Philippines. (Bong Garcia/SunStar Philippines)