ZAMBOANGA CITY: The Bureau of Customs (BOC) Port of Zamboanga destroyed some PHP395 million worth of confiscated smuggled cigarettes in Barangay Baliwasan here Tuesday.
Segundo Sigmundfreud Barte Jr., the BOC-Zamboanga district collector, said the destruction of the contraband aims to send a message that the government is serious in its anti-smuggling campaign.
“We now have four patrol boats that are patrolling the seas within the BOC Port of Zamboanga jurisdiction,” Barte said in an interview.
There are still some PHP141 million worth of smuggled cigarettes, which were confiscated this month, stored in the BOC-rented warehouse that are also set for destruction, he said.
“Once we finalize the needed documents and other requirements, we will also destroy those remaining in the warehouse,” he added.
Currently, he said there are at least three pending cases filed against smugglers before the local courts.
“We appear in court as the hearing of the cases continues,” he said.
The smuggled cigarettes destroyed Tuesday came from various operations of the BOC and its partner agencies from May to November this year.
The destroyed cigarettes, consisting of some 11,219 master cases were drenched in water and repeatedly crushed by heavy equipment in the presence of all partner agencies in the anti-smuggling campaign.
Mayor John Dalipe, meanwhile, reiterated his zero-smuggling policy and praised the efforts of the BOC and other enforcement agencies for their vigilance and sustained anti-smuggling initiatives.
“Smuggling will never be tolerated in Zamboanga City,” he said
Source: Philippines News Agency
