The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), in coordination with the Bureau of Customs (BOC) and the Philippine National Police (PNP), successfully disrupted an illicit cigarette manufacturing warehouse in Apalit, Pampanga, preventing an estimated P93.77 million in potential excise tax losses.
The enforcement operation, conducted on March 5 and 6, uncovered large volumes of cigarette packaging materials, tipping paper, and other raw inputs inside a facility located within the Golden Haojia Industrial Compound in Barangay Balucuc.
Authorities seized more than 4.8 million excise tax stamps, including counterfeit stamps with identical serial numbers, indicating their intended use in large-scale illicit cigarette production. The seized materials were valued at approximately P382 million based on BOC valuation.
The warehouse, which was found to be unregistered with Revenue District Office No. 21B – South Pampanga, was secured and sealed pending further investigation.
The BIR emphasized that the operation prevented the possible manufacture and distribution of untaxed cigarettes that would have undermined legitimate businesses and deprived the government of critical revenues.
Illicit tobacco operations remain a major concern as they distort fair market competition and expose consumers to unregulated products.
Commissioner Charlito Mendoza underscored that the raid reflects the BIR’s intensified campaign against illicit trade, aligned with the administration’s Bagong Pilipinas vision of efficient and transparent public service.
These enforcement efforts also support the economic reform agenda of Finance Secretary Frederick D. Go, aimed at strengthening investor confidence, improving ease of doing business, and sustaining economic growth.
