Bulacan: The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) confiscated more than 11 million packs of illicit cigarettes during a large-scale raid in Bulacan and Valenzuela City. In a statement on Thursday, the BIR revealed that 11.51 million packs of illicit cigarettes with an estimated tax liability of PHP8.54 billion were seized from an illicit cigarette factory in Bulacan and three illicit cigarette warehouses in Valenzuela City on November 6. According to Philippines News Agency, the BIR Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. stated that the BIR will persist in raiding factories and warehouses engaged in the illicit cigarette trade. During the simultaneous raids last week, a significant criminal enterprise operating a factory in Bulacan and three warehouses in Valenzuela City was uncovered, resulting in a massive tax liability of PHP8.5 billion. This operation marks the largest action undertaken by the BIR against illicit cigarettes for 2024. The BIR identified all four establishments as part of a single criminal enterprise . In addition to the illicit cigarette packs, the BIR seized raw materials, cigarette-making machines, and cigarette packing machines. Six Chinese nationals were also apprehended during the operation. The BIR noted that the individuals involved violated several provisions of the National Internal Revenue Code.