The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) found that two raided illicit cigarette warehouses in Quezon and Caloocan City have tax liabilities amounting to P838 million.
BIR Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. led the raid operation at both warehouses, which began on the night of September 12 and extended past midnight into September 13.
The BIR, along with the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group of the Philippine National Police (PNP-CIDG), raided the two large warehouses. The operation involved 60 revenuers and 60 PNP-CIDG personnel from the Anti-Fraud and Commercial Crimes Unit.
The Illicit Trade Task Force's strategy of conducting the raid at night proved effective, resulting in the seizure of 1.31 million packages of counterfeit and illegal cigarettes. All the cigarettes discovered by the BIR were without revenue stamps.
The warehouse operators violated the following sections of the National Revenue Code:
Section 145 - Cigars and Cigarettes
Section 146 - Inspection Fee
Section 248 - Civil Penalties
Section 249 - Interest
Section 260 - Unlawful Possession of Cigarette Paper in Bobbins or Rolls, Etc.
Section 263 - Unlawful Possession or Removal of Articles Subject to Excise Tax Without Payment of the Tax
Section 265 - Offenses Relating to Stamps
"This BIR raid of 2 illicit cigarette warehouses in Quezon and Caloocan City shows our commitment to fight illicit trade," Lumagui said.
"The BIR will raid your warehouses even after midnight. The BIR will not rest until illicit trade is exterminated," he added.
