P300 million smuggled cigarettes destroyed
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — The Bureau of Customs (BOC) district office here destroyed yesterday smuggled cigarettes with an estimated value of P300 million.
The BOC said the more than 8,000 master cases of assorted cigarette brands were seized in anti-smuggling operations in Zamboanga peninsula, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi from May to November.
Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) personnel sprayed the cigarettes with water, crushed them using a mechanical backhoe then dumped them at a sanitary landfill in Barangay Salaan.
BOC district collector Segundo Sigmunfreud Barte Jr. said many of the seized items were misdeclared as dried fish or junk food.
“This accomplishment will not be possible without the unwavering support and efficient coordination of our partner agencies,” Barte said, referring to the police, military, Philippine Coast Guard, National Bureau of Investigation, BFP, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and Bureau of Internal Revenue.
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