BOC seizes over P10M smuggled cigarettes in Orion
ORION, Bataan – The personnel of Port of Limay scored a major breakthrough after confiscating more than P10 million worth of smuggled cigarettes Sunday night in Bgy. San Vicente, Orion, Bataan.
In his report, District Collector Atty. William B. Balayo of Port of Limay said that some 488 master cases of different brands of smuggled and ‘”fake” cigarettes stored at Christy’s farm Resort were confiscated based on a Letter of Authority (LOA) issued by Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero.
“Actually, the amount of the seized fake cigarettes might be higher than P10M; we are still investigating it,” said Collector Balayo.
However, Col. Romell Velasco, Bataan Police director, said that no one was arrested as the Customs personnel just confiscated the fake cigarette products.
Before implementing the LOA, Balayo said that coordination was made with the local authorities of Bgy. San Vicente, Orion.
A composite team of ESS-CPD, ESS-WPD, CIIS Limay, Office of the District Collector, IP Manila, and PMFTC representative arrived at the farm resort to serve the LOA received by Emmanuel Santos, according to Balayo.
At around 8:00 p.m. Sunday, Balayo said they confiscated fake items or an estimated 17 master cases of cigarettes at the Gianz Franz store.
“At Cristy’s Farm Resort, inventory and examination were conducted by BOC Examiner Lito Garbo with PMFTC representatives. It was found out that there are 488 Master cases of different brands of smuggled or illicit cigarettes stored at the said Resort,” said Balayo.
