SUGUILON (FB)
BUTUAN CITY – Police seized smuggled cigarettes worth nearly P5 million in Iligan City on Wednesday, July 2.
“The smuggled cigarettes were bound for distribution in Cagayan de Oro City when intercepted by personnel from the Traffic Enforcement Unit of the Iligan City Police Office (ICPO) and ICPO-Station 2,” Police Regional Office 10-Regional Public Information Office chief Police Major Joann G. Navarro said on Friday, July 4.
She said four individuals were arrested and facing charges for violating Republic Acts 10845 (Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016) and 10863 (Customs Modernization and Tariff Act).
The contraband was detected during an operation against illegal terminals and colorum vehicles and a road-clearing operation.
“The Traffic Enforcement Unit (TEU) noticed two vans suspiciously stopping and attempting to evade the mobile patrol unit, prompting officers to conduct an inspection,” Navarro said.
Police flagged down the two vehicles and discovered several boxes of smuggled cigarettes and a transparent plastic bag containing multiple reams of President brand red cigarettes. font-family: Gilroy; display: inline !important;>The two vehicles came from Baloi, Lanao del Norte.
Drivers failed to present valid driver’s licenses, vehicle registrations, or any legal documentation for the cigarettes.
The cigarattes and vehicles are under the custody of the Traffic Enforcement Unit and will be turned over to the Bureau of Customs for proper disposition.
PRO-10 Director Police Brig. Gen. Rolindo M. Suguilon commended operating units for a job well done.
“PRO-10, in coordination with other law enforcement agencies, will continue to intensify its operations to safeguard our communities from illicit goods. I call on the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the authorities,” he said.