CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – Two container shipments of smuggled cigarettes worth P78 million were seized by the Bureau of Customs-Port of Subic on Monday.
As early as July 13, pre-lodgment control orders have been issued against the two 40-footer containers said to contain laminating film consigned to Mysticflare Import and Export Co.
Both shipments underwent non-intrusive examination (X-ray inspection) which the THSCAN Container Inspection System Images marked “For Verification.”
The subsequent physical examination conducted in the presence of representatives from BOC, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, Chamber of Customs Brokers Inc., Japan Tobacco International, and PMFTC Inc. yielded boxes of cigarettes including Kings, Two Moon Premium Filter Kings, D&B Light, D&B American Blend, Mighty Menthol, Mighty Full Flavor, Two Moon National Blue Star.
Warrants of seizure and detention were immediately issued against the shipments for violation of the National Tobacco Administration (NTA) Memorandum Circular No. 03, series of 2004; NTA Board Resolution No. 079-2005; Section 155 of R.A. 8293 (Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines in relation to Section 1113 (f) of Republic Act No. 10863 otherwise known as the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA).
“The Port of Subic will remain committed in securing the country’s borders against smuggled and illegal goods” said district collector Maritess Martin. BOC-Subic PR
