About P1.98 million worth of suspected smuggled cigarettes were intercepted by authorities at the San Carlos City port in Negros Occidental on Monday night, Aug. 31.
The shipment consisted of about 1,980 reams of cigarettes packed in 33 cartons and transported aboard a rented gray Nissan van that arrived from Cebu, the Philippine Coast Guard and San Carlos police reported Tuesday.
Two men reportedly from Cebu who were traveling with the vehicle were held by authorities for investigation.
The Coast Guard said the operation stemmed from information relayed by the owner of the rented vehicle, who sought assistance after tracking through GPS that the van had crossed from Cebu to San Carlos City despite an agreement that it would only be used within Cebu Island.
The information was initially relayed to the Philippine Coast Guard in Toledo before coordination was made with the Coast Guard Sub-Station in San Carlos.
Authorities intercepted the vehicle at the port and questioned its occupants.
The two reportedly initially told Coast Guard personnel that they were transporting eggs, while bottled juice was also found during inspection before authorities discovered the suspected smuggled cigarettes among the cargo.
San Carlos police were subsequently called to the port and conducted an inventory of the seized cigarettes.
Authorities placed the suspected contraband under police custody for documentation and proper disposition.
The rented van was later released to its owner after authorities determined during the initial investigation that the owner was apparently unaware that the vehicle would allegedly be used to transport illicit goods.
The two occupants remained with San Carlos police as authorities continued their investigation and determined the appropriate charges to be filed.*
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