In a decisive move against tax evasion, agents from the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Revenue Region 13 stormed a warehouse in Mandaue City, Cebu, seizing a massive cache of untaxed cigarettes valued at approximately ₱1.3 million.
Major Tobacco Bust in Sitio Lubi
The enforcement operation, conducted on Wednesday, targeted a storage facility in Sitio Lubi, Barangay Umapad. Authorities discovered and confiscated more than 2,000 packs of various cigarette brands that lacked the required government tax stamps.
Evidence of Widespread Tax Evasion
The seized contraband included popular brands such as:
- Fort
- Marvel
- Mighty
- Two Moon
All confiscated items were found without the official BIR internal revenue stamps, indicating clear violations of the National Internal Revenue Code.
Ongoing Investigation and Legal Actions
While the warehouse raid resulted in the significant seizure of illegal tobacco products, no individuals were apprehended during the operation. The BIR has launched a thorough investigation to identify the owners and distributors behind the illicit operation.
"This operation underscores our commitment to enforcing tax laws and ensuring all tobacco products in the market comply with government regulations," stated a BIR official familiar with the case.
Combating Illicit Tobacco Trade
The successful raid represents a significant victory in the government's ongoing campaign against the illegal cigarette trade, which deprives the national treasury of substantial tax revenues. Regular enforcement operations continue across Cebu and neighboring regions to stamp out tax evasion practices in the tobacco industry.
