BOC in Subic destroys P215-M illegally imported cigarettes, vegetables

At least P215-million worth of smuggled cigarettes and vegetables that were confiscated here were destroyed Friday, October 30, by the Bureau of Customs.

In a report, the BOC said the destroyed cigarettes were composed of 5,810 master cases of fake brands Fortune, Jackpot, Mighty, Two Moon, D&B, Seven Stars, Union and Marvels.

These were crushed, shredded, and dumped in a rendering facility in Porac, Pampanga on Friday, along with a container van loaded with a variety of vegetables that illegally entered the country.

The condemnation was spearheaded by the Port’s Deputy Collector for Assessment and Chief, Auction and Cargo Disposal Division (ACDD), Maita Acevedo, together with the Port’s Enforcement and Security Service (ESS) and Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS)

Also witnessing the destruction were Reynaldo N. Yacat, ACDMD-POS-AOCG, together with the representatives from PMFTC, JTI, PDEA and Bureau of Plant Industry.

The Port of Subic District Collector, Maritess T. Martin said they were intensifying border protection to stop smuggling at the Port of Subic. She said smugglers took advantage of the challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The Port of Subic shall remain dedicated in supporting Commissioner Guerrero’s program to intensify border protection and transparency to the public,” Martin said in a statement. – Rappler.com