THREE suspected smugglers were arrested and smuggled cigarettes valued at P8.3 million were seized in Barangay Singcang-Airport, Bacolod City on Wednesday, July 2. (Maritime SOU)
BACOLOD CITY - Authorities confiscated 149 boxes of smuggled cigarettes valued at P8.38 million here on Wednesday morning, July 2.
Police Major Kent Jerek Capadosa, acting commander of the Maritime Police 4th Special Operations Unit, said police responded to a report about a suspicious vessel and unidentified individuals onboard an unfamiliar motor boat at the Old Airport in Barangay Singcang-Airport here.
Police arrived as the contraband was being offloaded on the shoreline. Capadosa said the boat reportedly came from Sulu.
“There was a surprise confrontation when our team arrived,” Capadosa said.
A brief pursuit ensued and while some suspects managed to flee, three were caught, including the buyer.
The arrested individuals, all from Sulu, have been residing in the area for about a year.
They failed to present any documents proving payment of duties from the Bureau of Customs.
Suspects face charges for violating Republic Act (RA) 10863 or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act and RA 10643 or the Graphic Health Warnings Law.
They may also face tax evasion charges from the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) as the goods did not pass through proper tax processes, Capadosa said.
The three suspects, aged 29, 38, and 43, are in the custody of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG)-Negros Occidental.
In May, authorities seized P2.8-million worth of smuggled cigarettes in E.B. Magalona, P12.8 million in Cauayan, both in Negros Occidental, and P1.23 million in Canlaon City, Negros Oriental.