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The Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 47 in Alabel, Sarangani, has sentenced an individual to a prison term of three years and one day up to four years for the smuggling of illegal cigarettes valued at P6.76 million. According to the Bureau of Customs (BOC) on October 28, 2026, the court issued the decision on October 21, finding the defendant guilty of violating Section 1401(D) of Republic Act No. 10863, also known as the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA). The conviction stems from a joint checkpoint operation conducted by the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the BOC on January 23, 2025, in Barangay Katuabo, Kiamba, Sarangani. During the operation, authorities seized 7,350 reams of New Berlin cigarettes and 1,250 reams of King Perfect cigarettes, with a total estimated value of P6,757,880. The contraband was subsequently turned over to the Enforcement and Security Service of the BOC Sub-Port of General Santos on January 24, 2025. The court ruled that the seized cigarettes are to be forfeited in favor of the government. The BOC Sub-Port of General Santos has been directed to manage the disposition of the items in accordance with established rules and regulations. BOC Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno emphasized the importance of the judicial outcome in the agency's anti-smuggling efforts. "Smuggling carries heavy penalties, as we can see in this decision. It is not enough to just intercept smuggled products. We must also pursue cases in court so that those involved are held accountable. We will continue to collaborate with other agencies to protect the national treasury, law-abiding businesses, and the public," Nepomuceno said. Article source: The Daily Tribune | Image credit: The Daily Tribune
The Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 47 in Alabel, Sarangani, has sentenced an individual to a prison term of three years and one day up to four years for the smuggling of illegal cigarettes valued at P6.76 million. According to the Bureau of Customs (BOC) on October 28, 2026, the court issued the decision on October 21, finding the defendant guilty of violating Section 1401(D) of Republic Act No. 10863, also known as the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA). The conviction stems from a joint checkpoint operation conducted by the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the BOC on January 23, 2025, in Barangay Katuabo, Kiamba, Sarangani. During the operation, authorities seized 7,350 reams of New Berlin cigarettes and 1,250 reams of King Perfect cigarettes, with a total estimated value of P6,757,880. The contraband was subsequently turned over to the Enforcement and Security Service of the BOC Sub-Port of General Santos on January 24, 2025. The court ruled that the seized cigarettes are to be forfeited in favor of the government. The BOC Sub-Port of General Santos has been directed to manage the disposition of the items in accordance with established rules and regulations. BOC Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno emphasized the importance of the judicial outcome in the agency’s anti-smuggling efforts. “Smuggling carries heavy penalties, as we can see in this decision. It is not enough to just intercept smuggled products. We must also pursue cases in court so that those involved are held accountable. We will continue to collaborate with other agencies to protect the national treasury, law-abiding businesses, and the public,” Nepomuceno said.
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