BOC intel leads to Navy’s apprehension of P160M smuggled cigarettes
AN intelligence report from the Bureau of Customs’ (BOC) Intelligence Group (IG) and Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) in Zamboanga led the Philippine Navy (PN) into apprehending a motor boat loaded with P160 million worth of smuggled cigarettes on Wednesday, August 23, 2023.
The Navy, together with elements of PC390, took into custody M/B INDAH NADZ with 12 crews on board at the vicinity of Baturapac Island in Tandubas, Tawi Tawi.
Upon inspection, the team found 2,798 master cases of Oakley Original Cigarettes.
“The team intercepted and inspected the said vessel loaded with master cases of assorted brands of smuggled cigarettes after receiving information from our IG and CIIS Zamboanga,” Customs Commissioner Bien Rubio said, lauding the agency’s Intelligence Group for its swift and proactive response to the reports it received.
Intelligence Group Deputy Commissioner Juvymax Uy said that the final inventory of the goods and the vessel was made on the same day by the Customs Inventory Team.
“The total value of the illegally imported cigarettes is about P160,325,400 based on the Bureau of Internal Revenue’s regulation of P57,300 per master case,” he added.
The motor boat, valued at P3 million, was also included in the inventory.
The team that inspected the boat did not originally expect to see smuggled cigarettes since the information it received was that it contained smuggled fuel.
“But this was not the case,” Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) Director Verne Enciso said, “because it became immediately clear to our agents that the boat was carrying what could be smuggled cigarettes if the owner fails to present the proper documents.”
“When we verified the information about this, we immediately coordinated with the Philippine Navy for sea operations. They were on a Marpat enroute patrol to Tandubas Island, which was near where the motor boat was eventually apprehended,” he added.
The CIIS-Field Station in Zamboanga coordinated with BOC Tawi-Tawi personnel and the Office of the District Collector to underguard the vessel until the official inventory began.
The said vessel was also escorted by the Navy and elements of PC390 to Bongao Pier.
