CAMP RAFAEL C. RODRIGUEZ, Butuan City – A businessman was arrested for allegedly selling smuggled cigarettes in Tandag City, Surigao del Sur province last week, police reported Monday, July 31.
The businessman was arrested after two weeks of monitoring by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Surigao del Sur Provincial Field Unit.
PRO-13 Director Police Brig. Gen. Kirby John B. Kraft confirmed that the CIDG operatives, in coordination with the Tobacco Institute Inc., arrested the suspect, after he positively sold packs of smuggled cigarettes during a buy-bust operation in Barangay Bag-ong Lungsod.
The PRO 13-Regional Operations Division (ROD) temporarily withheld the identity of the suspect as thorough investigation is still ongoing to uncover the main source of these smuggled cigarettes and identities of his connections.
Initially, 90 reams of undocumented Champion white cigarettes with an estimated market value of P40,000 were seized from the possession of the suspect who failed to present supporting documents for these items.
“The suspect will be charged for violation of RA 8424 or the Tax Reform Act of 1997 and RA 10643 or the Graphic Health Warnings Law,” PRO 13-Regional Information Office chief Police Major Jennifer S. Ometer said.
Kraft urged the community to cooperate with the police to stop this illegal trade.
“I call on our force multipliers and the community to cooperate with our tight watch against smuggling that lowers the government revenue and causes havoc to the health of its consumers.”