CRIMINAL COMPLAINTS were filed against two importers for supposedly smuggling PHP200 million worth of cigarettes into the country, the Bureau or Customs (BOC) said on Tuesday.
The BOC’s Action Team Against Smugglers (BATAS), Port of Subic, and Port of Cagayan de Oro filed charges against importers Bonver Consumer Goods Trading and LMRC 418 Direct Import Export Corporation before the Department of Justice.
Bonver Consumer Goods Trading was charged for unlawful importation and misdeclaration of two containers of smuggled cigarettes amounting to PHP107.7 million on July 18 and 23, 2021 at the Port of Subic. The shipment was declared as laminating films.
On the other hand, criminal case was filed against LMRC 418 Direct Import Export Corporation due to the alleged misdeclaration of two containers of filtered cigarettes and premium filter kings worth PHP78.8 million Feb. 2 at the Port of Cagayan de Oro. The cargo was declared as furniture.
Both respondents violated Republic Act No. 10863, otherwise known as the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA) in relation to Customs Memorandum Order No. 20-2006 and Tax Reform Acceleration and Inclusion Law.
They also violated the National Tobacco Administration (NTA) Board Resolution 079-2005; National Tobacco Memorandum Circular No. 03, s. 2004; and the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines. ( Ferdinand Patinio)
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