NBI continues probe into P813 million smuggled cigarettes

CEBU, Philippines — Authorities have yet to identify the individuals behind the attempted smuggling of imported cigarettes worth an estimated P813 million seized in Cebu, as the investigation remains ongoing.

The National Bureau of Investigation in Central Visayas (NBI-7) said it is continuing its probe to determine the people responsible for the illegal shipment.

According to the NBI-7, the suspected contraband was loaded into 11 container vans, two of which had already been shipped to Manila before they were intercepted by authorities.

The agency said the operation stemmed from intelligence information provided by its Manila office, prompting a joint operation involving the Bureau of Customs (BOC), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Philippine National Police (PNP), and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).

Supervising Agent Gregorio Algoso Jr. said the investigation began after the NBI Manila office intercepted two container vans and traced them to a vessel from Cebu.

Authorities initially tracked two container vans along A.S. Fortuna Street in Mandaue City that were reportedly bound for Barangay Bacayan, Cebu City.

After questioning the drivers, the inter-agency team proceeded to Bacayan, where they discovered six more containers.

Investigators later found three additional containers left at Gothong Wharf after the vessel had already departed, bringing the total number of recovered containers carrying the suspected smuggled cigarettes to 11.

Authorities said the shipment consisted of imported cigarettes bearing the Modern brand, which is not commercially available in the Philippines and did not carry the tax stamps required by the BIR.

The NBI is now conducting inventory and verification procedures to determine the shipment's origin before it entered the container yard and to identify those responsible for the attempted smuggling.

As of Tuesday, no charges had been filed as the investigation remained ongoing. — /FPL (FREEMAN)