• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
An estimated P2.8 million worth of smuggled cigarettes were seized by the police in Barangay Pasil, E.B. Magalona, Negros Occidental on Tuesday night (May 27).
The operation followed the recovery of P12.8 million in smuggled cigarettes by the Maritime Police in Barangay Tiling, Cauayan on May 19.
PMaj. Eric Doronilla, E.B. Magalona police chief, said they received information on the construction of a makeshift warehouse along a protected mangrove area in the Malogo riverbank, which is being used as a storage for contraband cigarettes.
Recovered during the operation were 140 large boxes of Brave cigarettes believed to have been smuggled and sold without the proper tax stamps.
Each box contains 50 reams of cigarette.
Doronilla said investigation showed the smuggled cigarettes are being transported to the makeshift warehouse by small boats.
Two persons, who were contracted to build the structure, were invited for questioning by the E.B. Magalona Municipal Police Station.
Doronilla raised the possibility that the confiscated smuggled cigarettes both in Cauayan and E.B. Magalona towns may have originated from Mindanao.
On May 21, policemen intercepted a van at a checkpoint in Barangay Panubigan, Canlaon City, Negros Oriental for traveling without a plate number.
Upon inspection, the three suspects, including two residents of Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental and a 53-year-old Zamboanga City resident, failed to produce vehicle documents.
This prompted the police to search the van, leading to the discovery of 250 reams of assorted cigarettes, believed to be contraband, valued at P1.2 million.
PCol. Rainerio de Chavez, police provincial director of Negros Occidental, lauded the efforts of the E.B. Magalona police for their intensified operations against illicit activities. | GB
