Port of Clark destroys smuggled cigarette-making machines, fake cigarette master cases

November 18, 2019

As part of the relentless effort of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) to prevent illicit trade and customs fraud, the Port of Clark destroyed on Monday, several units of smuggled cigarette manufacturing machines, fake cigarette master cases and other packaging materials.

Seven units cigarette-making machines, one unit plastic recycling machine, one unit manual lifter, one unit generator set, and one unit generator cooling system that were seized last February 19, 2019 and forfeited last July 26, 2019 for violation of Section 1113 (f) and (l) of the CMTA, were destroyed through crushing using a backhoe.

On Tuesday, two sets of cigarette manufacturing machines, one set semi-automatic strapping machine, plastic shredding facility, 145 cigarette master cases, packaging materials and tax stamps will also be destroyed.

The same were seized last March 5, 2018 and forfeited last August 6, 2019 for violation of Section 118 and 1113 (f) and (l) of the CMTA, Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Law, National Tobacco Administration (NTA) Circular No. 3-2014, BOC Memorandum Circular No. 15-2015 and 20-2006 and BIR Revenue Regulation No. 1-97.

The said activity sends a strong message to smugglers to stop their illegal business practices, shortchanging the government of the rightful revenues.

Port of Clark personnel led by District Collector Ruby Alameda, representatives from the Ports Operations Service, National Tobacco Corporation, Commission on Audit, Japan Tobacco Inc. and Philip Morris Fortune Tobacco Corp. (PMFTC) witnessed the said destruction. DMS