MANILA: Agents of the Bureau of Customs yesterday seized $1bn worth of allegedly smuggled cigarettes and condiments during a raid on a warehouse in Tondo.
In a press release, Customs Commissioner Rozzano Rufino Biazon said the seized items were believed to have been illegally imported from China.
He said the owners or representatives of the storage facility failed to present proof of payment of duties and taxes on their importations.
According to him, the raid was conducted on the strength of a “Letter of Authority” he issued pursuant to Section 2536 of the Tariffs and Customs Code of the Philippines.
Among the items confiscated were several boxes of various brands of cigarettes. The raiding team also found boxes containing food seasoning.
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