SMUGGLED cigarettes recovered in Barangay Nagbo-alao, Basay, Negros Oriental on Saturday, May 16. (PRO-NIR)
BACOLOD CITY – The Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) intercepted smuggled cigarettes valued at P40 million and arrested 10 suspected smugglers in Sitio Labugon, Barangay Nagbo-alao, Basay, Negros Oriental Saturday night, May 16.
Police Lt. Col. Joem Malong, PRO-NIR spokesperson, said the operation stemmed from a report received by the Regional Intelligence Division (RID) regarding the unloading of boxes of cigarettes from a 10-wheel closed van suspected to be transporting illicit tobacco products.
Authorities discovered that the confiscated cigarettes had unauthorized tax seals and lacked the mandatory graphic health warning labels required under Republic Act No. 10643 or the Graphic Health Warning Law, in violation of Republic Act No. 10863 or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, as well as pertinent provisions under Republic Act No. 12022 or the Anti-Agricultural Sabotage Act.
Recovered were 700 master cases of cigarettes bearing the Bosqu Brand, a 10-wheel closed van, a motorized banca, two cellular phones, a white Ford Explorer, and a white Mitsubishi L300.
The master cases of cigarettes were taken to the RID for proper custody and safekeeping while the banca was turned over to the Maritime Special Operations Unit for appropriate disposition.
The suspects were brought to Basay Municipal Police Station for documentation and filing of appropriate charges.
Police recently discovered an illegal cigarette factory in Bago City, Negros Occidental and disposed of smuggled cigarettes in Talisay City, Negros Occidental.