P30M cigarettes, food items seized in Manila

MANILA, Philippines - The Bureau of Customs Intelligence Group (BOC-IG) under Deputy Commissioner Danilo Lim, through its Intellectual Property Rights Division (IPRD), scored its fourth haul of illegally imported goods from China worth P30 million.

This time, smuggled Marlboro, Winston and Fortune cigarettes, together with Knorr and Maggi food seasoning items and Nescafe products were seized from a warehouse in Manila, by virtue of a Letter of Authority issued by Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon.

Biazon said during the inspection of the seized goods Tuesday,  the raid on the Manila warehouse was the result of the BOC’s heightened anti-smuggling campaign and IG’s enhanced intelligence network and growing support for its cause from the public. The raid was partly prompted by a tip from one of IG’s assets from the private sector. 

“The BOC did it again. Through the help of its assets from the private sector, the Bureau’s Intelligence Group has once again caused the seizure of these illegally imported goods. This definitely is a big boost to the local business industry. Otherwise, had these illegally imported goods been able to get to the local market, it could have affected the local tobacco industry and business.” Biazon said, even as he congratulated the IPRD operatives under lawyer Zsae Carrie de Guzman for their latest seizure.