ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — Smuggled cigarettes worth almost P500 million were seized in Western Mindanao in the past 10 months, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) has reported.
Capt. Leonardo George Carillo, Customs police district commander, said up to 12,810 master cases of assorted brands of smuggled cigarettes were seized by operatives of the BOC and other law enforcement units from January to Oct. 14.
The BOC district covers Zamboanga peninsula, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.
Authorities said a majority of the smuggled items were transported by sea from Sulu to Basilan, this city and parts of Zamboanga Sibugay and Zamboanga del Sur.
Carillo said for this month alone, 5,358 master cases of smuggled cigarettes with an estimated value of P187.5 million were confiscated.
Sources said smuggled cigarettes can be procured for P3,000 to P5,000 per master case depending on the brand and sold for P25,000 to P30,000 per master case.
Zamboanga City Mayor John Dalipe ordered a crackdown on the illegal sale of smuggled cigarettes in the city.