A raiding team from the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) recovered P400,000 worth of counterfeit and smuggled cigarettes from La Cruz General Merchandise, a sizable supermarket in Marulas, Valenzuela City, last Wednesday, July 26.
According to reports, 298 cartons of various brands of counterfeit and smuggled cigarettes, including Dunston Blue, Septwolves Black, Septwolves Red, Richman Royale Blue, and Richman Royale Red, were among the products recovered.
A BIR statement said that some of the cigarettes were already past their expiration date.
The owner of the store informed the raiding team that the illegal goods came from Divisoria, Manila.
The identity of the grocery owner was withheld by authorities pending further interrogation.
The BIR raiding team was supervised by Revenue District Officer Estrella Manalo and Assistant Revenue District Officer Florita Morales, under the direction of Regional Investigation Supervisor Rozen Novilla.
According to BIR terms, smuggled cigarettes are illegally brought into the Philippines from other countries, whereas fake or counterfeit cigarettes are imitations of recognized brands.
As a result, the BIR is defrauded of excise and Value-Added Taxes (VAT) on both fake and smuggled cigarettes worth P50 billion to P100 billion every year, according to BIR Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr.
The Universal Health Care program, infrastructure improvement, and social services are only a few examples of the essential services that will be paid for using these funds.
