BOC-Cebu Seizes P76-M Fake Cigarettes from China

The Bureau of Customs-Port of Cebu has ordered the seizure of PHP76 million worth of suspected fake cigarettes smuggled from China.

BOC-Acting Cebu District Collector Charlito Martin Mendoza issued a warrant of seizure and detention (WSD) formalizing the confiscation of one 40-footer container van containing cases of “Mighty” and “Marvels” cigarettes.

Mendoza, in an interview with the Philippine News Agency on Friday, said the smuggled cigarettes could be part of the shipments of cigarettes recently confiscated by Customs authorities in the ports of Zamboanga, Manila, and, lately, in Davao.

He said the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) head office in Manila alerted its field office in Cebu about the shipment.

Accordingly, the CIIS was able to profile a series of shipments of a company in China which, although addressed to different consignees in the Philippines, were seized due to misdeclaration.

According to the WSD issued on Thursday, the shipment loaded in container number UETU542684 declared as “oval dish” is covered under the bill of lading (BL) number SITSKCBG125925 with pre-lodgement control order number PLCO-DCO-06092020-006 consigned to Giomab Trading. The shipment arrived last Tuesday.

On Thursday, Customs authorities here inspected the cargo based on the tip from the CIIS in Manila.

“The physical examination of the shipment (was) conducted by Customs Examiner Edy Neil Camalongay, in the presence of representatives from Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service, Enforcement and Security Service, X-Ray Inspection Project, Philippine Coast Guard, and Chamber of Customs Brokers Inc. – Cebu Chapter,” Mendoza said in the WSD.

He said Camalongay discovered during the physical inspection that the shipment contained 1,522 cases of cigarettes.

Camalongay recommended to Mendoza the issuance of WSD after he found out that the contents of the container van were cases of cigarettes, which is contrary to the “oval dish” declaration in the BL.

Oval dishes are used in food catering businesses.

“The importation is in violation of (Section 1401 on unlawful importation, in relation to) Section 1113 (f), (i) and (l) of Republic Act No. 10863 or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act of 2016,” Mendoza said.

He ordered Capt. Jerry Arizabal, district commander of Cebu Customs Police Division, to seize and take custody of the shipment and “to strictly observe Customs Memorandum Order No. 8-84” which mandates “the return of service and submission of the inventory report or list of the articles seized”.

“Let this attempt (of smuggling cigarettes) be a warning that they (smugglers) cannot perpetuate their evildoings in the Port of Cebu. We are one with President Rodrigo Duterte in the fight against all forms of smuggling and in the effort to improve revenue collection,” Mendoza said, adding that despite the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic, the BOC-Cebu “remains steadfast in securing the borders against illegal trade”. (PNA)