Manila, July 3 -- The Bureau of Customs (BOC) - Port of Cebu has intercepted PHP980 million worth of illicit cigarettes concealed inside 25 20-foot container vans in Cebu.

In a news release Friday, the BOC said the illegal tobacco shipments were discovered during an enforcement operation conducted on July 2 at a private wharf facility in Mandaue City.

The operation, carried out in coordination with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Philippine National Police - Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG), was implemented by virtue of a Letter of Authority (LOA) and Mission Order pursuant to Section 224 of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA).

Further investigation is being conducted to identify the...