Major Crackdown on Illicit Cigarette Operations in Pampanga Nets P382 Million in Materials
In a significant enforcement action, authorities have seized illicit cigarette materials valued at P382 million following two separate operations conducted recently in Apalit, Pampanga. This decisive move has successfully prevented an estimated P93.77 million in potential excise tax losses, according to the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).
Coordinated Raid Uncovers Large-Scale Production Inputs
The BIR led the raid in coordination with the Bureau of Customs (BOC) and the Philippine National Police (PNP), targeting a warehouse located inside the Golden Haojia Industrial Compound in Barangay Balucuc. During the operation, authorities discovered extensive volumes of cigarette packaging materials, tipping paper, and other production inputs clearly intended for large-scale cigarette manufacturing operations.
In addition to the raw materials, more than 4.8 million BIR excise tax stamps were recovered from the site. Alarmingly, this haul included counterfeit stamps bearing identical serial numbers, indicating sophisticated attempts to evade tax regulations.
Warehouse Not Registered, Violations Suspected
Initial verification conducted by the BIR revealed that the warehouse was not registered with Revenue District Office No. 21B – South Pampanga. This lack of registration raises serious concerns about potential violations of the National Internal Revenue Code, which governs tax compliance and business operations.
BIR Commissioner Charito Mendoza emphasized the agency's commitment to combating such illicit activities. "The BIR will continue to strengthen enforcement against illicit cigarette operations that undermine legitimate businesses and deprive the government of much-needed revenues for public services," Mendoza stated firmly.
The successful operations highlight ongoing efforts to curb tax evasion and protect government revenues, ensuring that funds are available for essential public services and infrastructure projects.
