Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Commissioner Romeo D. Lumagui Jr. reports another successful large-scale raid against illicit cigarettes. Last November 6, 2024, the BIR conducted a simultaneous raid of an illicit cigarette factory in Bulacan and three (3) illicit cigarette warehouses in Valenzuela City. All four (4) establishments are suspected to be part of one criminal enterprise. The BIR estimates a total tax liability of Php 8,544,809,067.50.
“The BIR will not stop raiding factories and warehouses involved in illicit cigarettes. A large criminal enterprise with a factory in Bulacan and three warehouses in Valenzuela City was simultaneously raided last week, uncovering 8.5B in tax liabilities. This is the largest operation of the BIR against illicit cigarettes for 2024,” Commissioner Lumagui stated.
A total of 11,513,049 packs of illicit cigarettes were seized during the raid. The BIR also seized raw materials, cigarette making machines, and cigarette packing machines. Six (6) Chinese nationals were also apprehended.
The perpetrators have violated several provisions of the National Internal Revenue Code. This includes Section 236 in relation to Section 258 – Unlawful Pursuit of Business, Section 263 – Unlawful Possession or Removal of Articles Subject to Excise Tax without Payment of Tax, Section 265-B – Unlawful Possession of Any Apparatus or Mechanical Contrivance for the Manufacture of Cigarettes, and Section 260 – Unlawful Possession of Cigarette Paper in Bobbins or Rolls, Cigarette Tipping Paper or Cigarette Filter Tips.
