Police and inter-agency forces seized 76 master cases of suspected smuggled cigarettes valued at ₱4,354,800 and arrested two suspects during a joint law enforcement operation in Barangay Balicotoc, Ilog, Negros Occidental, on Sunday, Oct. 18.
The Police Regional Office Negros Island Region (PRO NIR) on Monday identified the arrested suspects only as alias “Mak,” 44, and alias “Mar,” 24, both married residents of Purok 1, Barangay Cogon, Dipolog City.
The suspects were intercepted while transporting the illicit cigarettes loaded inside a wing van canter truck under their control.
An initial inspection showed that the tobacco products lacked required government permits and did not display prescribed Graphic Health Warnings, indicating potential violations of Republic Act No. 10643 (Graphic Health Warnings Law) and other applicable trade laws, the PRO NIR said.
The confiscated goods and vehicle were turned over to the Ilog Municipal Police Station for documentation, inventory, and proper disposition.
PRO NIR Regional Director Police, Brig. Gen. Rudecindo L. Reales. commended the operating teams, warning that anti-smuggling drives across the region will continue.
“We will not allow cigarette smuggling and the illegal movement of illicit goods to go unchecked in the Negros Island Region. We will sustain our operations, strengthen our coordination with partner agencies, and pursue those involved in these activities in accordance with the law,” Reales said in a statement.
The operation was conducted by the PTP NIR Regional Intelligence Division, alongside the Ilog Municipal Police Station, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Regional Field Unit-Negros Island Region, Regional Highway Patrol Unit-Negros Island Region, 4th Special Operations Unit-Maritime Group, Regional Intelligence Unit-Negros Island Region, Provincial Intelligence Unit-Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office, Coast Guard-Negros Island Region, and intelligence officers from the Bureau of Customs.*
[sibwp_form id=1]