Several officials of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) are under investigation for their alleged involvement in the smuggling of cigarettes worth about ₱1.2 billion seized in Batangas City last month.

Office of the Commissioner Deputy Chief of Staff Chris Noel Bendijo said the probe is ongoing to determine whether Customs personnel were linked to the illegal shipment. He said the BOC is closely coordinating with the Philippine National Police–Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) in the investigation.

“This is presently being investigated, and the Commissioner will not tolerate this if found to be true,” Bendijo said.

PNP-HPG Director Brig. Gen. Hansel Marantan earlier disclosed that the owner of the trucks used to transport the smuggled cigarettes is the spouse of a female Customs officer.

Authorities intercepted 14 trailer trucks loaded with suspected smuggled cigarettes in Barangay Singko Roon, Balete, Batangas on December 31.

The BOC has also acted on a letter allegedly sent by concerned officials and employees to the Office of the President, claiming that cigarette smuggling activities resurfaced at the Port of Manila. Following the allegations, Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service field station chief Paul Oliver Pacunayen was relieved from his post pending investigation.