The Bureau of Internal Revenue and the Philippine National Police seized 17 master cases of illicit cigarettes in Davao Oriental, with the seized stock estimated to carry an excise tax liability of 6.58 million pesos.
After the police took custody of the products, they were transferred to the tax agency for inspection and assessment.
The cigarettes were found to violate the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997.
This operation is part of a nationwide campaign to curb the illegal trade and transport of untaxed tobacco products, which deprives the government of revenue and undermines legitimate businesses.
Authorities are preparing charges against those involved in possession and transport, and the tax agency plans to intensify enforcement of tax law violations.
