THE Bureau of Customs (BOC)-Port of Cebu has intercepted a total of 1,092 master cases of smuggled cigarettes with an estimated worth of P54.6 million on Wednesday, August 19, 2020.
BOC-Port of Cebu said the smuggled cigarettes arrived at the Port of Cebu last August 16 via a 40-footer container said to contain drawers, tables, cabinets, and lockers. The shipment was consigned to a certain GRR Trading.
An information indicating that the shipment is loaded with cigarettes prompted Intelligence Officer 3 (IO3) Carlo A. Bautista, Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS)-Cebu Field Station chief, to recommend the issuance of a Pre-lodgement Control Order With this, Acting District Collector Lawyer Charlito Martin R. Mendoza immediately issued a PLCO against the shipment last August 17.
On August 19, the x-ray detected suspicious scanning images. A complete physical examination was subsequently conducted which resulted to the confiscation of the 1,092 master cases of cigarettes.
The shipment was issued with Warrant of Seizure and Detention for violation of Section 1113 (f), (i), and (l) of Republic Act No. 10863 or the “Customs Modernization and Tariff Act” and will undergo seizure and forfeiture proceedings.
Last June, Port of Cebu intercepted a shipment of smuggled cigarettes from China consigned to Giomab Trading and misdeclared as Oval Dish. (WBS with PR)