BOC Destroyed P90M Worth of Counterfeit Cigarettes Allegedly Smuggled in Cebu
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) personnel has destroyed over P90 million worth of counterfeit cigarettes allegedly smuggled in Cebu.
The procedure was carried out at the Taiheiyo Cement Philippines Inc factory, according to the article. Last June, counterfeit cigarettes were discovered at the Port of Cebu after two different shipments from China arrived in the nation.
The consignment was declared as table panels, cabinets, and seats by Customs. The BOC seized 1,804 smugglers’ master cases and counterfeit cigarettes with the brands “Mighty,” “Marvels,” and “Fort.”
“We have partnered with TCPI for the use of its facilities in compliance with Commissioner Rey Leonardo B. Guerrero’s directive to dispose forfeited cigarettes through burning in the furnaces of cement plants”, said Deputy District Collector for Operations Marc Anthony Patriarca.
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When it comes to the destruction of these types of products, the TCPI leadership has made sure to follow strict environmental procedures. Customs claimed this isn’t the first time counterfeit cigarettes worth millions of pesos have been broken.
Eight shipments of counterfeit cigarettes worth P374 million were also burned in Cebu last year. According to the BOC, this recent condemnation of seized smuggled cigarettes follows Commissioner Guerrero’s directive to dispose of forfeited products as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, authorities arrested an alleged sales agent in an entrapment operation for selling counterfeit cigarettes in Villaluz, Delfin Albano, Isabela. The arrest prompted after store owner complaint of customers returning the cigarettes bought to him due to bad taste.
Because of the cigarettes’ uniform label and serial number, they were able to determine that it is counterfeit after speaking with the corporation that supplies cigarettes in the said province. They were also revealed to be fraudulent because the suspect was not able to present any necessary documentation.
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