SMUGGLED cigarettes worth P16 million were discovered in a checkpoint in Barangay Taculing, Bacolod City on Wednesday night, April 15. (PRO-NIR)
BACOLOD CITY – The Bacolod City Police Office intercepted smuggled cigarettes valued at P16 million in a checkpoint in Barangay Taculing here on Wednesday night, April 15.
The Police Station 6 inspected a green Isuzu six-wheel van that stopped several meters past the checkpoint. The driver and his helper told police they were transporting boxes believed to contain illicit cigarettes.
Driver Ren and helpers Jay and Mik said they were hired by unknown individuals to deliver cargo. They noticed suspicious markings on the boxes and contacted their employer and were instructed to surrender the shipment to the police.
One-hundred sixty master cases – 102 Tabaco, 54 Cannon, and four Conrad – were discovered. Each case contains 50 reams, with 10 packs per ream, and an estimated value of P2,000 per ream.
The contraband are in the custody of Police Station 6 and will be turned over to the Bureau of Internal Revenue for proper disposition.
Earlier this week, smuggled cigarettes worth P21 million were also recovered in a checkpoint in Barangay Villamonte here.
The Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) said checkpoints remain a key defense against illegal goods and highlighted the importance of public cooperation in reporting suspicious activities to support law enforcement efforts.