Joint law enforcement authorities confiscated 231 master cases and 391 reams of UNDOCUMENTED CIGARETTES at a warehouse in Barangay Cuta, Batangas City, on 19 August 2023.

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) delivered the letter of authorization and mission order to the warehouse owner before conducting an inventory.

Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) personnel provided security to the BOC operatives while the Coast Guard K9 Force performed paneling inspection.

According to the BOC Batangas, the warehouse owner has 15 days to provide the necessary documentation to substantiate that he paid appropriate charges and taxes for the said goods.

Under Republic Act No. 10863 or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act of 2016, if the interested party fails to provide proof of the payment of duties and taxes on imported goods that are being sold or kept in storage within 15 days, the goods may be seized and subject to forfeiture proceedings.

As of press time, the confiscated goods remain at a warehouse in Sta. Ana, Manila, for safekeeping.

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