P31-M fake cigarettes intercepted

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) announced yesterday the interception of two container vans filled with fake cigarettes amounting to P31 million.

BOC Intelligence and Enforcement Group (IEG) chief Ray Allas said the contraband was misdeclared as mere apparel to avoid detection.

The shipment was consigned to three companies – Globeline Shipping Agencies Inc., Foxboro Express Cargo System Corp., and Rumia Marketing, which all denied importing such items.

As such, the BOC has again found itself with no one to charge for smuggling.

The container vans reportedly arrived from the US on board MV Elizabeth Rickmers although the cigarettes were in large boxes marked made in China.– Jose Aravilla