Concerned citizen's tip leads to P7-M cigarette bust in Agusan del Norte
SMUGGLED cigarettes valued at P7 million seized in Agusan del Norte Thursday. (Mike Crismundo)
BUTUAN CITY – Smuggled cigarettes worth P7 million were intercepted by personnel of the Police Regional Office in Caraga region (PRO-13) during an operation on Thursday in Purok 3, Barangay Cahayagan, Carmen, Agusan del Norte.
A concerned citizen's tip about suspicious cargo unloading from a pump boat vessel in the barangay prompted the operation.
Police operatives discovered an abandoned Fuso container van loaded with assorted smuggled cigarettes upon reaching the area. The contraband included 90 cartons of Greenhills cigarettes, 25 cartons of Cannon cigarettes, and 40 cartons of Casablanca cigarettes.
“The operation was launched following a report received by the Carmen Municipal Police Station (MPS) from a concerned citizen regarding the alleged unloading of suspicious cargo from a pump boat vessel in Baylanon area,” Police Major Jennifer Ometer, PRO-13 spokesperson, said.
“Our investigators are now conducting follow-up investigations and coordinating with concerned government agencies to identify and apprehend the individuals behind the illegal activity,” Ometer added.
"I commend our operating troops for their swift action in intercepting smuggled cigarettes worth millions of pesos," said PRO-13 chief Police Brig. Gen. Marcial Mariano Magistrado IV in a separate statement.
He recognized community support in the continuing fight against smuggling and other illegal activities in the region. (with PNA)