NATION
P4.35-M smuggled cigarettes seized
Initial inspections revealed that the seized items lacked the required permits and did not bear the prescribed graphic health warnings, pointing to potential violations of Republic Act 10643 and other pertinent laws.
Police and customs authorities confiscated 76 master cases of suspected illicit cigarettes valued at P4.35 million and arrested two suspects during a joint anti-smuggling operation in Barangay Balicotoc, Negros Occidental on Sunday.
The Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) identified the suspects as aliases “Mak” and “Mar,” both residents of Barangay Cogon in Dipolog City.
According to PRO-NIR, the operation was spearheaded by the Regional Intelligence Division in coordination with the Ilog Municipal Police Station, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Regional Field Unit-NIR, Regional Highway Patrol Unit-NIR, Fourth Special Operations Unit-Maritime Group, Regional Intelligence Unit-NIR, Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office, Coast Guard-NIR, and the Bureau of Customs.
Authorities intercepted the suspects while they were allegedly transporting and possessing the smuggled tobacco products loaded inside a canter wing van.
Initial inspections revealed that the seized items lacked the required permits and did not bear the prescribed graphic health warnings, pointing to potential violations of Republic Act 10643 and other pertinent laws.
The confiscated cigarettes were placed under the custody of the Ilog Municipal Police Station for proper documentation, inventory and disposition.
PRO-NIR regional director PBGen. Rudecindo L. Reales commended the operating units and partner agencies for their coordinated action, emphasizing that curbing smuggling activities requires sustained vigilance and strict enforcement of the law.