MANILA — Ariel Nepomuceno, Commissioner of the Bureau of Customs (BOC), led the inspection of a shipment containing PHP235 million worth of smuggled cigarettes from the United Arab Emirates bound for the Port of Batangas mandatory graphic health warnings required under Republic Act 10643, the Graphic Health Warnings Law.

The products also did not bear the required Bureau of Internal Revenue stamps, violating the National Internal Revenue Code of the Philippines.

Following the inspection, District Collector Carmelita Talusan issued a warrant of seizure and detention for violations of Sections 117 and 1113 of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.

Nepomuceno said the BOC will continue its intelligence-driven enforcement against illicit tobacco trade.

“Those who attempt to exploit the country’s borders for illegal trade will face the full force of the law,” he warned.

From January 1 to March 6, the bureau recorded 127 successful cigarette-related interdictions, seizing roughly PHP2 billion worth of illegal cigarettes nationwide.

“The BOC continues to strengthen coordination with partner law enforcement agencies to pursue a more coordinated and whole-of-government approach in combating illicit tobacco trade, one of the persistent threats to public health and fair market competition,” Nepomuceno added.