ILOILO City – Two suspects were apprehended for allegedly smuggling cigarettes in Barangay Maribong, Lambunao, Iloilo.
The sting operation was conducted by the Regional Maritime Unit 6 (RMU-6).
The suspects, Obinay Alimodin, 34, from Barangay San Fernando, San Jose, Antique, and Elias Panondi, 20, from Barangay Tambo Munai, Lanao del Norte, were arrested at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, September 2, with seized contraband valued at approximately P69,150.
According to RMU-6 commander Colonel Ervin Glenn Provido, the operation netted various brands of cigarettes including four reams of Canon Menthol Cigarettes and multiple sacks containing additional reams of various brands.
The suspects were under surveillance for several days following tips about their activities.
Alimodin and Panondi face charges under Section 1401 of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (Republic Act 10863), which pertains to unlawful importation.
Provido expressed gratitude to the informants whose cooperation was pivotal in the operation and warned others involved in the illegal cigarette trade of strict enforcement actions.
The RMU-6 is continuing its investigation to determine if the suspects are part of a larger syndicate distributing smuggled cigarettes throughout Western Visayas, especially in rural areas.
Intelligence reports suggest the illicit products originated from Mindanao and Luzon./PN
