MANILA — The Bureau of Customs (BOC) confiscated an estimated ₱31.92 million worth of smuggled cigarettes, environmentally restricted marine materials, and four vehicles in four separate operations at a routine checkpoint in the Port Area of Zamboanga throughout July.

In a statement Thursday, the BOC said the operations were jointly conducted by the Enforcement and Security Service (ESS), Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS), and personnel from the Office of the District Collector.

Authorities seized 370 master cases of smuggled cigarettes and 250 sacks of white sand containing broken corals after the drivers failed to show import documents and other necessary permits.

Warrants of Seizure and Detention (WSDs) were issued for all four incidents for violations of the “Tobacco Exportation and Importation Rules and Regulations” of the National Tobacco Administration (NTA), Executive Order No. 245, and Section 117 of Republic Act No. 10863 (Customs Modernization and Tariff Act), in relation to Section 1113, paragraphs (a) and (f). The seizure of marine materials also violated Section 110 of RA 7942 (Philippine Mining Act of 1995) and Batas Pambansa Blg. 265.

The Port of Zamboanga has placed the seized items and vehicles under forfeiture proceedings, as it builds a case to identify and charge those behind the smuggling attempts.

“Heightened vigilance is key to stopping smuggled cigarettes that hurt revenue and marine materials that endanger ecosystems,” Customs Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno said. “Guided by the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., we continuously fortify our enforcement measures to safeguard trade integrity and environmental security.”