Customs Bureau confiscates PHP 25,810,000 worth of illicit goods in Zamboanga during July.
In a series of joint operations, the Enforcement and Security Service (ESS), Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS), and personnel from the Office of the District Collector carried out a significant crackdown on smuggling activities at the Port of Zamboanga.
During these operations, a total of 370 master cases of smuggled cigarettes were confiscated, along with 250 sacks of white sand containing broken corals, which violated environmental regulations. Four vehicles were also seized. The confiscated items, including the smuggled cigarettes, the environmentally restricted marine materials, and the vehicles, were not presented with proper import documents and required permits.
The confiscations were made in relation to Executive Order No. 245 and Section 117 of Republic Act No. 10863 (Customs Modernization and Tariff Act), and in relation to Section 1113, paragraphs (a) and (f), of the Philippine Mining Act of 1995 and Batas Pambansa Bilang 265. The Bureau of Customs (BOC) seized contraband worth P25.81 million at the Port of Zamboanga in these four separate operations throughout July.
The BOC-Port of Zamboanga has initiated forfeiture proceedings for the smuggled items and the vehicles used to transport them. The drivers of the vehicles attempted to transport the illicit goods but failed to present import documents and other required permits.
The Philippine government continues to strengthen enforcement against illegal tobacco trade and related smuggling to protect public health and revenue. Penalties under customs law emphasize financial liability and seizure, while mining and marine resource violations have distinct provisions aimed at resource protection with civil and criminal repercussions.
The BOC is building a case to identify and charge those responsible for the unlawful acts. The penalties for violating Tobacco Exportation and Importation Rules and Regulations in the Philippines can reach up to millions of pesos in fines, confiscation of goods, and potential criminal prosecution for smuggling or fraud. For marine material violations, fines, imprisonment, confiscation/seizure of marine material, suspension or revocation of permits/licenses, and criminal charges are common penalties.
This is not the first time the Port of Zamboanga has been a hotspot for smuggling activities. However, with increased enforcement efforts, the Philippine government is sending a clear message that such illegal activities will not be tolerated.
- The confiscation of smuggled cigarettes and environmentally restricted marine materials at the Port of Zamboanga is not an isolated event, as the area has previously been a hotspot for smuggling activities.
- With the recent operations at the Port of Zamboanga targeting smuggling, politics and environmental issues, it is evident that the Philippine government is taking a firm stance against illegal activities that violate both general-news and crime-and-justice regulations.
