• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
An intelligence-driven police operation led to the confiscation of an estimated P26.6 million worth of suspected smuggled cigarettes in Barangay Alimango, Escalante City, Negros Occidental on Tuesday, Aug. 25.
A 29-year-old suspect was taken into custody after he was found possessing the shipment consisting 447 master cases of cigarettes bearing unauthorized tax seals and without the required health warning graphics.
The confiscated cigarettes’ estimated market value was based on the standard valuation of the Bureau of Customs.
The operation was conducted by the Regional Special Operations Group of the Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region backed by police intelligence, maritime, provincial, city and investigative units.
In a statement, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said the operation demonstrated the importance of acting on intelligence to prevent illicit goods from reaching the market.
The operation forms part of the PNP focused agenda, particularly the enhanced managing police operations, which promotes intelligence-driven, coordinated and accountable police action. | GPB
