BOC destroys P110 million smuggled cigarettes

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — The Bureau of Customs (BOC) destroyed imported smuggled cigarettes worth P110 million in this city yesterday.

Segundo Sigmundfreud Barte Jr., BOC district collect, said the smuggled items consisted of 3,110 master cases and 1,372 reams of cigarettes, which were seized from last December to March in Zamboanga peninsula, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.

Representatives from various law enforcement agencies, Commission on Audit and Department of Health joined BOC officials in the destruction of the smuggled cigarettes.

The cigarettes were drenched in water, crushed by a pay loader and a backhoe then buried in a sanitary landfill.

“The immediate destruction of the smuggled cigarettes is a warning that we are serious in our campaign against smuggling,” Barte said.

He said charges have been filed against those arrested for transporting the smuggled cigarettes.