Authorities have intercepted approximately ₱1.7 billion worth of smuggled cigarettes following a joint anti-smuggling operation conducted by the Bureau of Customs (BOC), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on June 22.
The operation resulted in the seizure of 23 containers loaded with illicit cigarettes after intelligence information provided by the NBI prompted immediate action from BOC Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno.
According to the BOC, authorities accounted for all 24 containers linked to the shipment. Sixteen containers were found at a private shipping facility in Tondo, Manila, while four were discovered aboard the vessel ASC BIG BOY. Another four containers had already been transported to separate warehouses, with authorities successfully recovering three. Efforts are ongoing to locate the remaining container.
The vessel ASC BIG BOY has since been placed under the custody of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).
Initial inspections conducted by the BIR confirmed that 23 containers contained cigarettes without the required tax stamps, involving approximately 29,900 master cases with an estimated value of ₱1.716 billion.
Investigators found that the shipments had allegedly been misdeclared as consumer goods before being loaded onto the vessel at Pier 7, a private wharf in Cebu, and transported to another private wharf in Tondo, Manila, under the same operator.
Authorities said the findings point to possible violations of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (Republic Act No. 10863), including provisions on misdeclaration of goods and unlawful importation. The shipments may also violate provisions of the National Internal Revenue Code, particularly those involving the possession and transport of excisable goods without payment of taxes and without the required tax stamps.
The inspection was led by Deputy Commissioner PMGen. Emmanuel Luis D. Licup (Ret.) of the BOC Intelligence Group alongside NBI Director Melvin A. Matibag, Department of Finance Undersecretary Rolando T. Ligon, PCG Rear Admiral Christopher Meniado, and representatives from the National Tobacco Administration.
Authorities are currently conducting a full inventory and valuation of the confiscated goods as part of ongoing efforts to dismantle illicit trade networks and protect government revenues from smuggling activities.
