Subic Bay Freeport – Bureau of Custom, Port of Subic seized three 40-foot containers containing various smuggled cigarettes on July 01, 2020.
The shipments came into the country and were declared as LED lights. Upon conducting X-ray examination of the containers followed by 100% physical examination, it was discovered that the containers contained numerous master cases of various cigarettes. An estimated 3,100 master cases were seized estimated to have a value worth P93,090,000.
District Collector Maritess T. Martin issued a Warrant of Seizure and Detention (WSD), and the consignee of the shipment and now is subject to further investigation for the possible violation of National Tobacco Administration (NTA) Board Resolution No. 079-2005, NTA Memorandum Circular No. 03, Series of 2004, in relation to sec. 1113 (f) of RA 10863 otherwise known as the Customs Modernization and Tarrif Act (CMTA). Inventory proceedings are currently being done to ascertain the volume and amount of the shipments.
Collector Martin commended the efforts of the men and women of the Port. She further assured the public that the Port shall remain committed to its mandate of border protection in line with the directive and guidance of Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo B. Guerrero she said.
