PALIMBANG, Sultan Kudarat — Authorities confiscated more than P19.4 million worth of smuggled cigarettes during an intelligence-driven raid on a warehouse in Barangay Wal on Saturday evening, 30 November.
The joint law enforcement operation took place around 7:10 p.m. and was led by personnel of the Palimbang Municipal Police Station under PLTCOL Gary Flor C. Marfil, with support from troops of Bravo Company, 37th Infantry Battalion headed by 1LT Patrick John A. Pacres. The raid was carried out in coordination with the Bureau of Customs (BOC) through a video conference with Special Agent I Rogel E. Julio of the ESS-CPD, Sub-Port of General Santos.
Inside the warehouse — reportedly owned by Benladin Usop, who remains at large — authorities seized 320 boxes of King Philip cigarettes, 75 boxes of Brighton cigarettes, and 100 boxes of Gajah Baru cigarettes. The BOC placed the total value of the confiscated goods at P19,448,550.
Investigators said intelligence information pointed to large shipments of smuggled cigarettes being stored inside the facility. Responding units went to inspect the area and saw stacks of cigarette boxes through an open window, prompting confirmation from the BOC representative regarding the contraband. After verification, authorities ordered the immediate seizure.
Barangay Wal Chairman Hon. Benengen W. Usop witnessed the inventory and turnover of the recovered items. The owner of the warehouse was not present during the operation and has not been located as of press time.
The seized items were brought to Palimbang Municipal Police Station for documentation and will be turned over to the BOC in General Santos City for proper disposition. A criminal complaint for violation of Republic Act 10863, or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, will be filed against the warehouse owner once located.