CRIMINAL syndicates continue to reel as the Bureau of Customs, under the firm leadership of Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno, continues with its unrelenting campaign against the smuggling of tobacco products, hauling in more than ₱3.54 billion worth of smuggled cigarettes during operations in Manila and Cebu.
In the first incident last June 22, a joint enforcement operation by the BOC, National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) inside a private wharf in North Harbor, Tondo, Manila, resulted to the discovery of 23 containers of smuggled cigarettes valued at ₱1.7 billion.
The operation stemmed from the intelligence information provided by the NBI under Director Melvin Matibag, which was immediately acted upon by Customs Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno.
During the operation, the authorities learned that the shipment consisted of 24 containers of which 16 were found inside the private wharf,
Four containers were found still onboard the vessel ASC Big Boy while 3 of the 4 containers already delivered were recovered in separate private warehouses. The remaining missing container was still being located as of this writing while the ASC Big Boy has been turned over to the custody of the PCG.
The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) confirmed that the recovered cigarettes, totaling some 29,900 master cases do not have tax stamps as proof of payment of excise tax to the government.
The Investigation also revealed that the containers were misdeclared as ‘consumer goods’ and loaded onto ASC BIG BOY at Pier 7, a private wharf in Cebu, before being transported to the private wharf in Tondo, Manila, under the same operator.
Deputy Commissioner for Intelligence (DCI) PMGen Emmanuel Luis D. Licup (Ret.) led the inspection alongside NBI Director Melvin A. Matibag, Department of Finance Undersecretary Rolando T. Ligon, representing the office of Secretary Frederick Go, PCG Rear Admiral Christopher Meniado, and representatives from the National Tobacco Administration.
They are joined by other BOC officials, including Deputy Commissioner for Enforcement (DCE) PBGen. Nolasco Bathan (Ret.), Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) Director Thomas Narcise, Enforcement and Security Service (ESS) Director Noel Estanislao and Manila International Container Port (MICP) District Collector Geoffrey De Vera.
Cebu Connection?
Following the operation in Manila that resulted to the detention of ASC Big Boy, the BOC on June 25 announced the confiscation of 11 more container vans of smuggled cigarettes during another successful joint enforcement operation in Mandaue City, Cebu, a day earlier.
The statement said that a joint team from the BOC, PCG, NBI, Philippine National Police (PNP and the BIR resulted to the interception of 11 40-footer vans containing the smuggled cigarettes with an estimated value of ₱860 million.
Initial investigation revealed that the containers were being transported through domestic routes using a local shipping line for distribution. The authorities initially intercepted two of the container vans while interrogation of the truck drivers led the enforcement team to a container yard in Barangay Bacayan, Cebu City, where 6 additional container vans loaded with cigarettes were found.
Further information provided by representatives of the trucking company resulted to the recovery of 3 more containers of smuggled that are yet to be transported that rounded up the final haul to 11 container vans.
In another follow-up operation last July 2 sanctioned by Commissioner Nepomuceno thru a ‘LOA’ (Letter Of Authority), the BOC said 25 more 20-footer vans of smuggled cigarettes valued at ₱980 million were found and seized at a private wharf in Mandaue City.
This brought the value of seized smuggled cigarettes to ₱3.54 billion from the 3 successful anti-smuggling operations.
“The message of these operations are clear,” Commissioner Nepomuceno said.
“Hindi titigil and BOC sa kampanya laban sa illicit tobacco trade at lahat ng uri ng smuggling.
“Ipagpapatuloy ng ahensya ang pagpapalakas ng intelligence-driven enforcement operations, katuwang ang ating partner agencies, upang tuluyang mabuwag ang mga smuggling networks, maprotektahan ang mga legitimate businesses, at mabantayan ang pondo ng bayan.”
The Customs Chief also assured that further investigation is ongoing to unmask and subsequently prosecute all those involved in the incidents.