The Philippine National Police–Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) intercepted four closed van trucks carrying smuggled cellphones and other electronic gadgets worth an estimated P221.5 million along Mindanao Avenue in Barangay Bahay Toro, Quezon City.

PNP-HPG Director Hansel Marantan said the trucks were flagged down on Wednesday after operatives received information about a convoy allegedly transporting illicit goods from Central Luzon to Metro Manila.

Marantan said the contraband was discovered after the cargo listed in the documents presented by the drivers did not match the actual contents of the vans.

“Doon sa ipinakita nilang mga documents ang nakalagay lang these are cell phone accessories but you see, it’s the cellphones itself, hindi naman yan accessories,” he told reporters on Thursday afternoon.

“So we will advise, especially the BIR, to check how much they have paid,” he added.

The HPG chief said the drivers and their helpers are cooperating with authorities and claimed they were unaware of the actual contents of the cargo they were transporting.

“We can take their statement if it is necessary. Maganda rin naman ‘yung relasyon namin with the BOC so magtulungan kami,” Marantan said.

The four drivers were issued citation tickets, with Marantan noting their cooperation with the ongoing investigation.

The seized gadgets were turned over to the Bureau of Customs (BOC) for further investigation.

PNP chief Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said the operation underscores the police force’s firm stance against the use of national highways for illegal activities.

“Hindi puwedeng gawing daanan ng ilegal na kargamento ang ating mga lansangan. Kapag may tangkang lumusot, asahan nilang haharangin ito ng ating kapulisan,” Nartatez said.

He added that the interception was carried out under the Enhanced Managing Police Operations (EMPO) framework.

Following the operation, the cargo was seized, traffic ordinance violations were issued, and the vehicles were impounded. The drivers and trucks were brought to the Regional Highway Patrol Unit–National Capital Region for further investigation, with coordination ongoing with concerned agencies for the filing of appropriate charges.

For his part, BOC Enforcement Group chief Nolasco Bathan said the agency would first secure a warrant of seizure and detention before proceeding with a formal investigation.

“From there, iimbestigahan namin kung sinuman ang magcl-claim or sino yung mga taong dapat namin palutangin. Hahanapan namin ng dokumento kung bakit itong mga gadgets na ito ay nandito. So, we will start the investigation once these items are turned over to our office,” Bathan said.

“Malaking impact ito dahil kung ito ay mapapatunayan na hindi sila nagbabayad ng tamang buwis ay malaki ang nalulugi kasi dapat magbayad sila ng tamang buwis sa ating gobyerno,” he added.