By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — The Bureau of Customs (BOC) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) have strengthened their campaign against cigarette smuggling after inspecting nearly P980 million worth of confiscated illicit cigarettes seized during a series of joint enforcement operations.
Authorities said the latest inspection covered 25 newly confiscated shipping containers, which are part of 59 containers intercepted in an ongoing anti-smuggling drive. The combined estimated value of all seized illegal cigarette shipments has now reached about P3 billion.
According to the BOC, the operation stemmed from intelligence gathered by the NBI, enabling customs personnel to identify and intercept the suspicious cargo before it could enter the local market. The remaining containers remain under government custody while legal proceedings and further investigations continue.
Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno reiterated the agency’s commitment to eliminating smuggling networks, emphasizing that authorities will pursue not only the shipments but also every individual and business involved in the illegal trade.
He stressed that the BOC will continue dismantling the entire supply chain behind illicit cigarette smuggling and ensure that those responsible face the full force of the law.
For his part, NBI Director Melvin Matibag said the bureau will work closely with the BOC in building cases against organized smuggling syndicates and prosecuting those behind the operations.
During the joint event, the BOC, NBI, and other partner law enforcement agencies also signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) aimed at enhancing intelligence sharing, coordinating enforcement activities, and strengthening case development against economic saboteurs.
The Bureau of Customs said the enhanced partnership supports the government’s broader campaign against smuggling and other forms of illicit trade, adding that border security measures will continue to be intensified to prevent illegal goods from entering the country.
ia/xf
