• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
An intelligence-driven police operation led to the arrest of three suspects and the recovery of more than P3 million worth of smuggled cigarettes in Barangay Nagbo-alao, Basay, Negros Oriental on Nov. 2.
In a report, the Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) identified those arrested only by their aliases “Lom,” 25, the driver, and “Joe,” 41, and “Ben,” 40, the passengers, all residents of Barangay Pook, Hinobaan, Negros Occidental.
The seized cigarettes included 54 master cases of BOSQU cigarettes.
Authorities acted on intelligence reports that a blue Mazda truck was transporting the cigarettes from Santa Catalina, Negros Oriental to Hinobaan.
The truck used to transport the cigarettes was also confiscated.
The operation was led by the PRO-NIR Regional Intelligence Division, in coordination with police intelligence units, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, Basay Municipal Police Station, and the Bureau of Customs.
On Oct. 29, the police also seized P5.2 million worth of suspected smuggled cigarettes in Barangay Old Namangka, Mabinay, Negros Oriental. | GPB
