THE Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), together with elements from the Naval Forces of Eastern Mindanao Command based in Davao City, seized a total of 717 master cases or 358,500 packs of illicit cigarettes with an estimate P252 million in tax liabilities in a joint operation conducted last November 6, 2023
“The BIR will continue the fight against illicit tobacco traders or smugglers wherever they may be. The BIR will continue to protect compliant taxpayers while prosecuting illicit trade. We will not stop. Expect more enforcement operations,” BIR Commissioner Romeo Lumagui, Jr. stated.
It was discovered that brands such as Canon, GreenHill, and Bros were being smuggled into the country by traders without the proper payment of excise taxes. These acts are in violation of Section 130 of the National Internal Revenue Code as amended, Republic Act 11900, and Revenue Regulations Nos. 7-2021, 18-2021, and 14-2022.
On November 8, 2023, the BIR, together with the Davao City Police Office PS6 and Task Force Davao, conducted another enforcement operation via a random checkpoint in Bunawan, Davao City.
This operation resulted in the confiscation of 51 master cases or 25,500 packs of New Orleans smuggled cigarettes with estimated tax liabilities totalling P17.9 million.