Manila, March 7 -- The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has intercepted a shipment of undeclared cigarettes worth more than PHP230 million during a recent operation conducted at the Port of Batangas.

In a statement on Saturday, the BOC said a physical examination of the container on March 5 led to the discovery of 637 cases of cigarettes bearing the brand MAC, with an estimated market value of approximately PHP235 million, which were not covered by proper importation documents.

Further verification also showed that the consignee was not authorized to import cigarettes, indicating a possible attempt to illegally bring regulated tobacco products into the country.

The operation stemmed from information received by the BOC - Customs Intelligence a...