BACOLOD City — Authorities arrested a 57-year-old man in possession of an estimated P715,000 worth of illicit cigarettes during an early morning operation yesterday, May 4, in Sitio Utod, Barangay Hilamonan, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental.
The suspect, identified only as alias “Bazer,” a driver and vendor from Santa Catalina, Zamboanga City, was apprehended at around 2:50 a.m. after police received a tip from a concerned citizen regarding the unloading of cigarette boxes in the area.
Personnel from the Kabankalan Component City Police Station immediately responded to the report and caught the suspect in the act of unloading boxes of cigarette products from a red Isuzu Elf dropside truck.
Police stated that the seized items did not bear the required graphic health warnings, a violation of Republic Act 10643, or the Graphic Health Warnings Law, which mandates the proper labeling of tobacco products. Investigators believe the suspect was preparing to distribute the illegal stock within the locality.
The suspect was informed of his constitutional rights and the provisions of the Anti-Torture Law in a language he understood. He is currently under the custody of the Kabankalan City police for the filing of appropriate charges and proper disposition.
As of press time, further investigation was ongoing to determine the source of the illicit products and identify possible accomplices. (Watchmen Daily Journal)/PN
