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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Visayas devider P12.8-M smuggled cigarettes recovered

P12.8-M smuggled cigarettes recovered

Published May 20, 2025 04:47 pm
BACOLOD CITY – Police recovered 11,450 reams of smuggled cigarettes valued at P12.8 million in Sitio Bagambang, Barangay Tiling, Cauayan, Negros Occidental on Monday, May 19.
POLICE recovered 11,450 reams of smuggled cigarettes valued at P12.8 million in Barangay Tiling, Cauayan, Negros Occidental on Monday, May 19. (Photo via Bacolod Maritime Police Station)
POLICE recovered 11,450 reams of smuggled cigarettes valued at P12.8 million in Barangay Tiling, Cauayan, Negros Occidental on Monday, May 19. (Photo via Bacolod Maritime Police Station)
Police Capt. Reynaldo Bauden Jr., Bacolod Maritime Police Station chief, said two men were arrested for loading the contraband from a boat to two panel vans – Jun-Jun, 39, from Zamboanga City, and driver Mar, 39, from Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental.
Bauden said they received information regarding the transport of illicit cigarettes in various areas in Cauayan.
Lawmen monitored and verified the information for a week until they intercepted the suspects.
Bauden said that Jun-Jun was identified to be the organizer allegedly linked to a big distributor of smuggled cigarettes from Mindanao. “They are considered organized,” he added.
Recovered were 7,450 reams of imported smuggled cigarettes (P8,335,000) and 4,000 reams of local illicit cigarettes (P4,480,000).
Bauden said the suspects refused to specifically divulge their source but police said that they could also be linked to their previous anti-smuggling operation in Binalbagan, Negros Occidental.
Bauden said that the confiscated items did not pass through the Bureau of Customs and did not pay the right taxes, making their products more affordable when sold to retailers in “sari-sari” (community convenience) stores and markets, especially in upland areas.
The suspects face charges for violating Republic Act (RA) 10863, the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, and RA 8293 or the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines.

Related Tags

Smuggled cigarettes Smuggling Cigarettes Cauayan Negros Occidental
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