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Cops intercept truck loaded with P1.7-M 'smuggled' cigarettes in Nueva Ecija

Philippines | National

Cops intercept truck loaded with P1.7-M 'smuggled' cigarettes in Nueva Ecija

By Aaron Recuenco

Police confiscated more than P1.7 million of cigarettes believed to have been smuggled into the country during an operation in Zaragoza town of Nueva Ecija on Tuesday, Dec. 10.

Police Brig. Gen. Redrico Maranan, director of the Police Regional Office 3, said the operation was part of the intensified security measures through police visibility and conduct of checkpoint.

At around 5 a.m. on Tuesday, Maranan said his men were manning a checkpoint in Barangay Carmen when they flagged down a truck for a routine visual inspection.

The cops noticed that the truck was loaded with boxes containing cigarettes with Chinese brands. The driver failed to present any document to prove that the cigarettes entered into the country legally.

Maranan said the driver and the helper were placed under custody while the truck loaded with147 boxes of cigarettes amounting to P1,764,000 was held.

“I commend our policemen at the Zaragoza Municipal Police Station, along with members of the 1^st Provincial Mobile Forces Company for this accomplishment. This only proves our dedication to implement the law and prevent any illegal activities,” said Maranan.

The two suspects are now facing charges of violation of Republic Act No. 9211 o Anti-Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003 while investigation is ongoing to identify the other persons behind the entry and transport of the confiscated cigarettes.

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