• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Around P45 million worth of contraband cigarettes was seized in Brgy. Binalbagan, Canlaon City in Negros Oriental April 19, the police said.
The joint operation by intelligence operatives of Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region, Negros Oriental Police Province Office, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, PNP Maritime Group, and the Canlaon City Police Station also led to the apprehension of four suspects, who are residents of Dipolog City, Lanao del Norte, Zamboanga Sibugay, and Zamboanga del Norte.
The police said the 450 master cases of Oris Menthol and D&J menthol cigarettes were recovered from an Isuzu 10-wheeler wing van, and Isuzu Elf 6-wheeler panel van as authorities intensified the campaign against illegal tobacco trade.
The PRO-NIR reported that it already seized 56,393 reams of illegal cigarettes, with a market value of P138,580,796, and arrested 12 suspects, in 25 anti-illicit cigarette operations from April 5-19.
These figures reflect the sustained operational momentum of PRO-NIR in disrupting the supply chain of smuggled tobacco products, and preventing their distribution in local markets, regional police spokesperson, Lt. Col. Joem Malong, said.
Among the notable operational accomplishments were the confiscation of P28.3 million worth of contraband cigarettes April 13 in barangays To-oy and Su-ay in Himamaylan City, seizure of P13.7 million worth of smuggled cigarettes April 17 in Barangay Pook, Hinobaan, all in Negros Occidental.
An estimated P21 million worth of alleged smuggled cigarettes was also surrendered by the driver of a six-wheeler van and his helper to policemen, who were manning a checkpoint at the Circumferential Road in Brgy. Villamonte, Bacolod City, April 14.
P/Brig. Gen. Arnold Thomas Ibay, PRO-NIR director, lauded the operating units for their swift and coordinated action against smuggling activities and other forms of economic sabotage. | GB
