Government agents on Thursday seized smuggled Chinese cigarettes and unlicensed firearms worth P10 million during a raid at a store and a warehouse in Makati City.
A composite team from the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service, National Bureau of Investigation and Philippine Coast Guard raided the establishments based on the Letter of Authority issued by Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero.
The Bureau of Customs temporarily withheld the name of the establishments and its address, pending the arrest of the operators and the owners in the follow up operation being conducted by the agency’s Intelligence Group (IG).
Aside from cigarettes, and long and short firearms, the raiding team also discovered Chinese Linhua Qingwen medicines and test kits used to treat a person infected with coronavirus disease, which were said to be sold in public.
Other goods found inside the storage warehouse were surgical face masks and assorted alcoholic beverages.
In a statement, Customs deputy commissioner and IG chief Raniel Ramiro said the CIIS is now thoroughly searching the premises to ensure it is clear of any other firearms.
Ramiro said his office is now coordinating with the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) to determine if the medicines had their approval and also with the Philippine National Police for details relative to the seized firearms.
He likewise assured that the items and premises shall be sealed and kept under guard while an inventory is ongoing to verify pertinent import permits and documents.