Police arrested four individuals and recovered P2.639 million worth of suspected smuggled cigarettes following a pursuit operation that ended in two separate road crashes in Vallehermoso, Negros Oriental, early Saturday, July 4.
The operation began at around 3 a.m. after personnel of the Guihulngan City Police Station and the Regional Special Operations Group pursued two Toyota Revo vehicles allegedly transporting smuggled cigarettes.
The Vallehermoso Municipal Police Station established a checkpoint to intercept the vehicles.
Police later learned that the two vehicles had separately crashed in Brgy. Puan and Brgy. Molobolo.
In Brgy. Puan, a black Toyota Revo lost control and crashed, scattering boxes and reams of suspected smuggled cigarettes along the road.
The driver, alias “Hamza,” 32, of Malabang, Lanao del Sur, was rescued from the wreckage and brought to the Vallehermoso Rural Health Unit for treatment.
His passenger, alias “Ting,” 31, of Escalante City, was arrested at the scene.
In Brgy. Molobolo, a maroon Toyota Revo also crashed into roadside railings.
The driver, alias “Jamil,” 43, and his passenger, alias “Jamal,” 46, both of Manticao, Misamis Oriental, were injured and brought to the rural health unit before they were placed under arrest.
Police recovered the two vehicles and 29 boxes containing 1,184 reams of suspected smuggled cigarettes.
The seized items and vehicles are under police custody while appropriate complaints are being prepared in coordination with the concerned government agencies.*
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