BACOLOD City – Authorities intercepted 147 boxes of smuggled cigarettes worth an estimated P8.3 million during a maritime raid conducted around 5:30 a.m. on July 3 at the old Bacolod airport in Barangay Tangub.
The operation was led by the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) Maritime Group, in coordination with the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG)–Negros Occidental Provincial Office, following intelligence reports about the presence of contraband in the area.
Major Karl G. Bonilla, deputy commander of the 4th Special Operations Unit, said law enforcers approached a pump boat where they discovered the boxes of smuggled cigarettes. The estimated value of the seized items was pegged at P114 per pack, though the specific brands and market details were not disclosed in the initial report.
Bonilla revealed that the recovered boxes accounted for only half of the total shipment that was meant to be illegally brought into the city.
Three individuals were also apprehended while 10 others managed to escape by cutting the rope securing their vessel.
The arrested suspects were identified as Sibang Sali Sadjari, 38; Husaim Arram Ajibon, 43; and Alsidi Umran Isnani, 29 — all temporarily residing in Bacolod City but originally from Mindanao, where the smuggled goods are believed to have originated.
The confiscated items were turned over to concerned government agencies for proper documentation and legal disposition.
The suspects are facing charges for violating Republic Act (RA) 10863 (Customs Modernization and Tariff Act) and RA 10643 (Graphic Health Warnings Law).
Authorities are now pursuing the remaining suspects and investigating the broader scope of the smuggling operation. The PNP also urged the public to report any suspicious maritime activity or cargo movement./PN
