CITY OF SAN FERNANDO The Bureau of Customs (BoC) - Port of Subic seized one container of smuggled cigarettes from Singapore valued at P46.28-million.
The discovery of the smuggled goods stemmed from an information received by the BOC Port of the Subic.
A Pre-Lodgement Control Order was immediately implemented which revealed a total of 1,122 master cases of Marvels Filter Cigarettes inside the container.
The shipment was declared by the importer to contain fabrics.
Investigation showed that the consignee, Proline Logistics Philippines Inc., was not a registered locator of Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority authorized to import cigarettes and tobacco products from other countries.
The firm is neither included in the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) List of Registered Importers of Cigarette Brands.
Port of Subic Master Collector Maritess T. Martin issued a warrant of seizure and detention against the shipment.
She said the shipment violated the National Tobacco Administration (NTA) Memorandum Circular No. 03 and Republic Act No. 10863, or the Customs Modernization Tariff Act.
Last month, the Port seized two shipments amounting to P84.97-million from the same consignee.
Martin said the Port of Subic would continue strengthening its border protection efforts against the entry of illicit goods into the country.