Philippine authorities seized 11 containers of illicit cigarettes valued at P860 million during an operation in Mandaue City and Cebu City on Wednesday.
The Bureau of Customs reported that the seizure followed intelligence leads. Officers first intercepted two containers in Mandaue City. Further checks at a yard in Barangay Bacayan, Cebu City, uncovered six more containers. Three additional containers were found at a private shipping facility in Mandaue City.
The shipments were intended for domestic distribution via a local shipping line. The operation involved the Bureau of Customs Port of Cebu, Philippine Coast Guard, National Bureau of Investigation, Philippine National Police, and Bureau of Internal Revenue.
Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno stated that the bureau would continue its efforts against the illegal tobacco trade.