DAVAO CITY – Customs authorities seized some P107 million worth of contraband cigarettes illegally shipped through the Port of Davao.
The smuggled items misdeclared as tissue papers were contained in four 40-footer containers consigned to Golden Aark Enterprises.
Agents from the Bureau of Customs (BOC) Intelligence Group and Enforcement Group seized the items valued at P107,414,676.74
Customs intelligence reports said the first two containers arrived at Davao International Container Terminal (DICT) on July 10 and declared to be containing 2,180 boxes of brand-new tissue papers.
“However, derogatory information from IG (Intelligence Group) and EG (Enforcement Group) led to the issuance of a Pre-Lodgment Control Order (PLCO) after discovering that no goods declaration was lodged by the consignee and a possible misdeclaration of the said commodity,” the Bureau of Customs (BOC) said.
Authorities conducted “non-intrusive inspection and 100 percent physical examination” which yielded positive for misdeclaration of goods “as 1,205 boxes of Astro Branded Cigarettes and 942 boxes of YS filter cigarettes were found in the containers resulting to its apprehension last July 14,” BOC added.
Two more containers arrived at the same terminal on July 12 declaring 1,940 boxes of the same commodity. Authorities conducted a similar X-ray inspection and 100 percent physical examination, which revealed 942 boxes of YS filter cigarettes and 941 Fort brand cigarettes which was apprehended last July 16 at DICT.
“The previous apprehension has led the offenders to outsmart the system by not declaring the shipment’s details in the E-manifest – a system by which BOC determine the cargo’s details and its intended port of destination,” the BOC said.
“In the midst of this pandemic, Customs Davao shall ensure that its border security protocols, and coordination with its partner agencies remain steadfast in securing the borders of Mindanao” said Erastus Sandino Austria, Customs Davao District Collector.
Austria has issued a Warrant of Seizure and Detention on the seized items, the BOC said.
It said its sub-port in Dadiangas, General Santos City also apprehended 1,325 boxes of smuggled cigarettes from Vietnam valued at more than P24 million on June 3.