In a significant move against smuggling, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) in Caraga Region destroyed over PHP219 million worth of illicit cigarettes on Monday, February 24, 2025. The destruction took place in Butuan City at the Richmond Plywood Corporation in Purok 1, Barangay Mahogany, under the supervision of Revenue Region No. 17 Director Jose Eric Furia. A total of 337,644 packs of smuggled cigarettes, which had been seized in various operations throughout the previous year, were incinerated during the event. Director Furia emphasized that the successful confiscation of these contrabands was a testament to the collaborative efforts of various government agencies in their ongoing battle against smuggling. High-ranking officials from the Environmental Management Bureau, Department of Health, Department of Trade and Industry, and the Commission on Audit were present to witness the destruction. Furia stressed the importance of vigilance in combating smuggling activities within the region and acknowledged the crucial support from the private sector in these efforts.
