Police have intercepted some P9 million worth of smuggled cigarettes when they intercepted a trailer truck in Limay, Bataan.
Gen. Debold Sinas, chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), said the operation stemmed from a report of legitimate cigarette distributors in the Philippines regarding the proliferation of smuggled cigarettes in the country.
The truck, according to Sinas, was intercepted in a police checkpoint on Roman Highway in Barangay Alangan in Limay town.
Police arrested Alberto Gianan, 47; Benmark Cabubas, 30; and Jumar Vanidad, 34.
The truck, which was loaded with 460 master cases of Marvels, D&B and Tomon cigarettes were confiscated. They are now facing a case of violation of Republic Act 8293 (Intellectual Property Rights.
“While the police are very much focused on its all -out war against illegal drugs, our personnel will continue to implement focused police operations to fight all forms of criminality and lawlessness,” said Sinas.