• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) reported that it has confiscated P195.007 million worth of illegal cigarettes in 283 anti-smuggling operations from January to June this year.
In a statement, PRO-NIR said it also resulted to the arrest of 52 persons involved in the illegal trade.
This developed as the police recovered more suspected smuggled cigarettes estimated to have a market value of P76,000 through voluntary surrender and police response.
An 18-year-old male identified only by the alias “Toto” voluntarily surrendered 22 reams of hard pack “Bosqu Red” cigarettes at the New Sagay Wet Market in Barangay Poblacion 2, Sagay City.
The surrendered items have an estimated market value of P11,000.
Police also recovered an abandoned sack containing suspected smuggled cigarettes at a waiting shed in Hacienda Ideal along Osmeña Avenue, Barangay 13 in Victorias City.
The confiscation was made after patrolling officers responded to information from a concerned citizen about a sack left unattended at a waiting shed.
Upon inspection, they found several reams of suspected smuggled cigarettes with an estimated market value of P15,000.
A 23-year-old businessman identified only by the alias “Axel” voluntarily surrendered suspected illicit cigarettes at Purok Bureau, Barangay Alimango, Escalante City.
The recovered illegal cigarettes have an estimated market value of P50,000.
PRO-NIR said all recovered cigarettes from the three incidents will be turned over to the proper government authorities for appropriate disposition in accordance with existing laws and regulations.
The police also continued to encourage the public to report the sale, transport, and storage of smuggled cigarettes as part of the government’s intensified campaign against the illegal tobacco trade. | GPB
