The police seized smuggled cigarettes worth about P460,000 and arrested a driver in Sipalay City, Negros Occidental, on Tuesday, Jan. 6.
Authorities identified the suspect as alias “Biling,” 42, of Sipalay.
The police said they received information from a concerned citizen that a vehicle allegedly transporting smuggled cigarettes was headed towards Brgy. Cartagena in Sipalay.
The Sipalay police seized the cigarettes at around 4:30 p.m. in Purok Isdaan, Zone 1, Brgy. Cartagena.
Responding officers spotted the suspect unloading boxes of cigarettes from a Toyota Revo upon arrival at the area.
The police said verification showed that the cigarette products had no graphic health warnings as required by law.
Police seized 20 boxes containing about 1,000 reams worth about P460,000.
The suspect, the vehicle, and the confiscated cigarette products were placed under the custody of the Sipalay City Police Station.
The police said the suspect was arrested for violation of Republic Act 10643, or the Graphic Health Warnings Law.
Authorities said coordination was made with the Bureau of Internal Revenue in Binalbagan to verify the authenticity of the seized products and determine possible tax law violations.*
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