More than P11.1 million worth of alleged smuggled cigarettes were confiscated during a joint anti-smuggling operation in Brgy. Talaban, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental, Saturday, Oct. 4.
The operation was carried out by the Regional Maritime Unit–Negros Island Region (RMU–NIR) and the Himamaylan City Police Station after authorities spotted individuals unloading boxes of suspected smuggled cigarettes.
Upon inspection, the suspects failed to present documents proving payment of customs duties and taxes.
Police arrested two men identified only as “Midcpal,” 42, a truck driver from Zamboanga City, and “Julvin,” 39, a truck helper from Jolo, Sulu.
Confiscated items included 170 boxes or 8,500 reams of “Pure” cigarettes, 15 boxes or 750 reams of “Fort” cigarettes, and 5 boxes or 250 reams of “Berlin” cigarettes, with a total estimated market value of P11,127,000.
Authorities also seized the white panel truck used to transport the contraband.
The suspects face charges for violating Section 1401 of Republic Act 10863 or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act and Section 6 of Republic Act 10643 or Graphic Health Warnings on Tobacco Products Act of 2014.
The suspects were brought to the Maritime Law Enforcement Team (MLET) office in Himamaylan for documentation and filing of charges.*