By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA, Philippines — Some 2,690 reams of assorted cigarettes worth more than PHP1.149 million have gone up in smoke as the Bureau of Customs (BOC) intensified its campaign against cigarette smuggling and the proliferation of illicit tobacco products.
The BOC-Port of Surigao said the seized cigarettes were destroyed on Aug. 12 in accordance with customs laws, rules and regulations governing the disposition of seized and forfeited goods.
The illicit tobacco products had previously been turned over to the BOC for proper disposition after being forfeited in separate cases on Nov. 20, 2025, and March 9, 2026.
The shipments were covered by Warrants of Seizure and Detention and were found to have violated Section 1401, in relation to Section 1113(f) and (l-1 & 5), of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.
The destruction formed part of the BOC’s continuing enforcement efforts to keep seized and forfeited illicit tobacco products from returning to the market.
The Port of Surigao said the disposal was carried out under established procedures governing confiscated and forfeited goods.
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