BoC seizes P143M worth of smuggled cigarettes
During the operation, several men allegedly offered P5 million in exchange for favorable action on the release of the impounded trucks.
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During the operation, several men allegedly offered P5 million in exchange for favorable action on the release of the impounded trucks.
The Bureau of Customs (BoC) and the police have intercepted a shipment of suspected smuggled cigarettes valued at P143 million, with several suspects later arrested for allegedly attempting to bribe law enforcement officers.
According to official reports, highway patrol operatives, while conducting routine anti-carnapping and traffic enforcement operations, intercepted two trailer trucks along G. Araneta Avenue in Quezon City.
The trucks were found to be unregistered and carrying an estimated 2,000 boxes of cigarettes believed to be undocumented and illegally imported. Initial findings indicated that the shipment was allegedly picked up from a coastal area in Bauan, Batangas, and was bound for Valenzuela City.
Later that day, authorities received verified information about attempts to improperly influence police officers handling the case.
At around 3:35 p.m., personnel of the Regional Highway Patrol Unit 3 conducted an entrapment operation at Camp Olivas in the City of San Fernando, Pampanga.
During the operation, several men allegedly offered P5 million in exchange for favorable action on the release of the impounded trucks.
Three individuals were arrested and the marked money was recovered. The suspects were identified as Gener Manzanero Gonzales, 58; Rogie Aycardo Rueda, 40; and Loreto Andal Gertes Jr., 48.
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