• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Patrolling policemen seized an estimated P21 million worth of smuggled cigarettes during a seaborne operation off Sipalay City, Negros Occidental on Aug. 15, resulting also in the arrest of seven suspects.
The confiscated contraband consisted of 525 master cases or 26,250 reams of cigarettes intercepted by the Philippine National Police (PNP) Maritime Group’s 4th Special Operations Unit (SOU).
Initial police investigation showed the cigarettes were found aboard a blue, red and green motorized banca marked “Amor Pati.”
The vessel, which was powered by twin engines, was also confiscated after the PNP Maritime Group discovered that one of its engines had a defaced engine number.
Of the seized cigarettes, 220 master cases were valued at P8.8 million while 305 other master cases were estimated at P12.2 million.
Seven suspects, all from Zamboanga City, were arrested during the operation. They were intercepted aboard the motorboat by the 4th SOU, using high speed tactical watercraft 43.
The suspects and the confiscated cigarettes were brought to the 4th SOU headquarters in Sipalay City for documentation and filing of appropriate charges.
The suspects may face charges for violation of the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act, Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, and Graphic Health Warnings Law.
“Stopping these shipments before they reach the market is critical to protecting legitimate businesses and enforcing our laws. We will remain vigilant and strengthen our capability to detect and intercept smuggling activities,” PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez said in a statement. | GPB
