SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — The Bureau of Customs Port of Subic disclosed that it has confiscated at least P253 million worth of illegal cigarettes from the months of June and July this year, staying true to its mandate of preventing the proliferation of illegal goods inside this premier Freeport.
According to district collector Atty. Maritess Martin, the agency’s branch here has seized 972 master cases of illegal cigarettes in June — items that were allegedly consigned to Thousand Sunny and were valued at P40.09 million.
Martin revealed that the Subic branch also intercepted in June some 1,003 master cases of cigarettes worth P41.3 million that were consigned to Russhi Knish Consumer, adding that another shipment from Thousand Sunny Enterprise was again seized despite the revocation of their accreditation.
The shipment contained 1,000 master cases of assorted cigarettes worth P42.2 million.
For the month of July, the Subic branch seized another 2,157 master cases of cigarettes consigned to Proline Logistics Philippines Inc. that has a total amount of P84.9 million.
Martin said that they received information that another shipment was en route to Subic by the said company.
“The BoC immediately issued a Pre-lodgment Control Order against the subject shipment, which contained 1,122 master cases of Marvels Filter Kings Cigarettes valued at 46,276,890,” Martin said.
The Port of Subic, with representatives of the Enforcement and Security Service, Customs Intelligence & Investigation Service, X-ray Inspection Project, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, Philippine Coast Guard, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, Subic Bay International Terminal Corp., and Chamber of Customs Brokers Inc. led the inspection of all subject shipments.