The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Station in Northern Samar reported on Thursday, Nov. 30, that it intercepted a vehicle containing illicit cigarettes.

According to PCG, a total of 700 reams of illicit cigarettes, comprising 600 reams of Fort Menthol cigarettes and 100 reams of Bravo Red cigarettes, were confiscated on Nov. 27.

"During a random paneling inspection, one of the Coast Guard K9 working dogs confirmed it was positive, indicating the white premium van contained boxes of cigarettes," PCG said.

The ilicit cigarretes have an estimated market value of PHP 1,050,000.

PCG's report said that the undocumented cigarettes originated in Davao City and was supposed to be transported to Cubao, Quezon City.

Owners of the contrabands faced charges of violation of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Region 8 tax code under Sec. 263 and Sec. 265 of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997.

Confiscated items are now under the custody of BIR Region 8.