INTERCEPTED. BOC personnel from the Port of Zamboanga intercept 240 master cases of cigarettes loaded on a motorized wooden watercraft off the coast of Barangay Maasin, Zamboanga City on Nov. 6, 2023. The cigarettes have an estimated value of PHP13.75 million. (Photo courtesy of BOC)
MANILA – Personnel from the Bureau of Customs (BOC)-Port of Zamboanga and police officers intercepted a motorized wooden watercraft loaded with smuggled imported cigarettes with an estimated value of PHP13.752 million.
In a statement Thursday, Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio said the watercraft marked "Lautanmas 3” together with its crew members were flagged off the waters of Barangay Maasin, Zamboanga City, during a maritime patrol operation on Nov. 6.
The vessel was later found as laden with undocumented imported cigarettes, purportedly transported from Jolo, Sulu, and was bound for Zamboanga City.
A joint inventory by BOC, Philippine National Police (PNP) Seaborne Company, and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) revealed 240 master cases of cigarettes bearing the brands "San Marino," "Astro," "Green Hill," "New Berlin," "New Far," "Cannon," and "Bravo."
“The BOC will not tolerate any illicit activity that poses danger to the security and well-being of our citizens. We are relentless in our efforts to combat all forms of smuggling, and we will continue to work with our partner agency to put an end to all nefarious smuggling activities,” Rubio said.
The seized master cases of cigarettes, including the carrying vessel, were confirmed negative for illegal drugs after a thorough examination by PDEA's drug-sniffing canines.
The BOC said the crew members of the vessel, who were not identified, are still under investigation.
Initial investigation showed the crew members were supposedly hired to transport from Jolo, Sulu to Zamboanga and have no idea where the cigarettes came from and who are the owners of the contraband.
The vessel and the 240 master cases of cigarettes are currently under the custody of the BOC pending seizure and forfeiture proceedings.
The contraband will also be disposed of for violation of the Tobacco Exportation and Importation Rules and Regulations of the National Tobacco Administration, pursuant to Executive Order 245 and Section 1117 of Republic Act 10863 or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act. (PNA)
