TATLONG container van na naglalaman ng P791 milyong halaga ng puslit na sigarilyo at vape products mula Singapore ang nasabat ng Bureau of Customs – Manila International Container Port (BOC-MICP) kamakalawa.
Nadiskubre ang kontrabando matapos na makatanggap ng derogatory information ang BOC Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service NG MICP (CIIS-MICP) na pinamumunuan ni Deputy Commissioner Juvymax Uy.
Lumitaw sa pagsisiyasat na dumating ang kargamento sa MICP nitong Mayo 11.
Ang mga nasabat ng container ay sinasabing may kargang 3,845 cases ng tobacco products.
Subalit sa isinagawang physical examination ay lumitaw na naglalaman ito ng 4,215 master cases of cigarettes at 1,053 master cases of heat sticks.
“it was further observed that the subject cigarettes and heat sticks do not bear mandatory printed graphic health warnings on its packaging in violation of R.A. 11900 or the “Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act of 2022” as implemented by Department of Trade and Industry, Administrative Order No. 22-16 series of 2022 and RA 10643 or “The Graphic Health Warnings Law of 2014.” ayon pa ahensiya.
Sa isinagawang verification sa National Tobacco Administration (NTA) ay nadiskubre na hindi rehistradong importer ng tobacco and other tobacco related products ang consignee na lumabag sa NTA Board Resolution 079-2005.
Tiniyak naman ng MICP, sa ilalim ng liderato ni District Collector Carmelita M. Talusan na higit pa nilang paiigtingin ang pagsawata sa smuggling activities bilang suporta sa direktiba ni BOC Commissioner Bienvenido Y. Rubio.
“Our vigilant team is committed in upholding regulations and safeguarding consumers from potentially hazardous consumer products. This seizure aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to beef up our anti-smuggling efforts against illicit vape and tobacco products.” ani Rubio. VERLIN RUIZ
