Under the leadership of Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) – Port of Cebu, in coordination with the Philippine Coast Guard Intelligence Group – Central Visayas (PCGIG-CV), intercepted two container vans suspected of containing illicit cigarettes in an early May 2026 operation.
On 11 May 2026, Customs authorities conducted a physical examination of one 40-footer container van and one 20-footer container van. The inspection yielded approximately 1,445 master cases of assorted illicit cigarettes, comprising 466 master cases of Modern brand cigarettes and 979 master cases of Nise Baisha brand cigarettes.
Further inventory revealed that each master case contained 10,000 cigarette sticks, placing the estimated street value of the shipment at ₱115,600,000.
The operation stemmed from intelligence information jointly developed by the BOC–Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) and the PCGIG-CV, through coordinated inter-agency efforts to intercept illegal trade activities.
A Warrant of Seizure and Detention was issued on 22 May 2026 for violation of Section 1113 (f), in relation to Sections L-1 and L-5 of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA).
In a separate operation during the first week of May, the Subport of Mactan also intercepted 200 pieces of vape pod cartridges from a South Korean traveler at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA), with an estimated value of over ₱66,000.
Commissioner Nepomuceno said, “We will continue to strengthen intelligence-driven operations and enhance coordination with partner agencies to keep illicit goods out of our ports. Our commitment to protecting our borders with vigilance, integrity, and resolve remains firm.”
He added that these successive operations reflect the BOC’s strengthened enforcement posture and its continued commitment to modernized border protection in line with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to intensify the government’s campaign against smuggling and illicit trade.
District Collector Alexandra Lumontad-Yap of the Port of Cebu likewise underscored the importance of sustained coordination among enforcement agencies in securing the country’s ports.
“These operations highlight the critical role of intelligence sharing and coordinated enforcement in combating smuggling. The Port of Cebu remains firm in its mandate to suppress illicit trade that undermines government revenue and public welfare,” she said.
