Authorities seized more than ₱138 million worth of smuggled and counterfeit cigarettes in a joint operation in Barangay Inayawan, Cebu City, on Thursday, Feb. 19.
The operation was conducted by the Bureau of Internal Revenue and the Cebu City Police Office. Officials confiscated 135,936 packs of assorted cigarette products with a total estimated value of ₱138,099,550.34.
Bernardino Paul R. Somera Jr., chief revenue officer IV of the BIR Regional Investigation Division, said the cigarettes were possibly intended for distribution in public markets.
Cebu City Police Office officer-in-charge PCOL George V. Ylanan said authorities will further strengthen inter-agency cooperation to curb the spread of illegal products.
He also issued a warning to individuals and groups involved in the manufacture, distribution, and sale of smuggled and counterfeit goods. Ylanan said authorities will not tolerate such illegal activities.
Officials said the investigation into the incident is ongoing.
