BIR destroys P6.4 billion in seized cigarettes

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has begun destroying seized cigarettes valued at P6.4 billion in unpaid taxes this week in Pampanga.

The nationwide destruction, which will take place at 12 sites between February 24 and 28, 2025, includes approximately 14.3 million packs of confiscated cigarettes.

BIR Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. stated the initiative upholds the law and deters illicit activities, serving as a follow-up to nationwide raids and criminal case filings since 2022.

The destruction aims to highlight the public health risks associated with unregulated cigarettes from unknown sources.

The BIR has filed criminal tax evasion cases against parties found in possession of these illicit cigarettes.

The most recent operation leading to these seizures resulted in the confiscation of products that evaded P8.54 billion in taxes.

In a separate operation, the BIR in Cebu destroyed 244,211 packs of counterfeit and unregistered cigarettes worth P15,616,612.09 in tax liabilities on February 26, 2025.

BIR Revenue Region No. 13 Regional Director Douglas Rufino stated that BIR Cebu City had the fourth-highest number of confiscated illicit cigarettes.