BOC Zamboanga seizes P25.81 million illicit cigarettes, vehicles

(Editor’s Note: This is a corrected report based on the erratum on August 7, 2025, on the amount of the seized smuggled cigarettes by the Port of Zamboanga, from P31.92 million, as earlier reported, to P25.81 million). 

THE Port of Zamboanga announced the confiscation of smuggled cigarettes, “restricted marine materials” and the vehicles used to transport them during a series of operations last month.

District Collector Zsae Carrie de Guzman, in a report to Bureau of Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno, said 370 master cases of smuggled cigarettes and 250 sacks of broken corals were seized by bureau personnel manning the port’s anti-smuggling checkpoint after the drivers of the vehicles failed to present import documents and other required government permits. The vehicles used to transport them were also impounded, the official added.

Warrants of Seizure and Detention (WSDs) were issued for all four incidents for violation of the “Tobacco Exportation and Importation Rules and Regulations” implemented by the National Tobacco Administration (NTA), pursuant to Executive Order 245 and Section 117 of Republic Act 10863 (Customs Modernization and Tariff Act), in relation to Section 1113, paragraphs (a) and (f).

The seizure of the corrals was for violation of Section 110 of RA 7942 (Philippine Mining Act of 1995) and Batas Pambansa 265.