BACOLOD City – Police seized suspected illicit cigarettes valued at P4.35 million and arrested two men during a joint law enforcement operation in Barangay Balicotoc, Ilog, Negros Occidental, on October 18.
The Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) said the confiscated tobacco products were worth P4,354,800.
The operation was led by the PRO-NIR Regional Intelligence Division, in coordination with the Ilog Municipal Police Station, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, Regional Highway Patrol Unit, Maritime Group, Coast Guard-Negros Island Region, Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office and the Bureau of Customs.
Authorities identified the arrested suspects only by their aliases, “Mak,” 44, and “Mar,” 24. Both are married residents of Barangay Cogon, Dipolog City.
Police said the suspects were allegedly transporting and possessing the cigarettes, which were loaded onto a canter or wing van under their custody and control when authorities conducted the operation.
Initial inspection showed that the tobacco products allegedly lacked the required permits and did not bear the prescribed graphic health warnings, raising possible violations of Republic Act 10643, or the Graphic Health Warnings Law, and other applicable regulations.
Authorities said further investigation would determine the specific violations and appropriate charges against the suspects.
The seized cigarettes were turned over to the Ilog police for documentation, inventory and proper disposition.
PRO-NIR Regional Director Brig. Gen. Rudecindo L. Reales commended the operating personnel and partner agencies for their coordinated efforts, emphasizing the need to sustain operations against cigarette smuggling and other forms of illicit trade.
“We will not allow cigarette smuggling and the illegal movement of illicit goods to go unchecked in the Negros Island Region,” Reales said.
He added that police would continue strengthening coordination with partner agencies and pursuing those involved in illegal activities in accordance with the law.
PRO-NIR said it would sustain intelligence-driven operations to disrupt the movement of illicit cigarettes, protect legitimate businesses and enforce anti-smuggling laws./PN
