• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Police authorities seized an estimated P8.93 million worth of illicit cigarette products and arrested four suspects in two operations across Negros Occidental this week.
On Sept. 25, the operation in Barangay 3, Isabela led to the recovery of 155 master cases of New Berlin Red cigarettes and 19 master cases of Modern Red cigarettes valued at P8.8 million, which were transported on a wing van.
Arrested were alias “Rey,” 32, driver, and “Virgil,” 32, laborer, both from Zamboanga del Norte, and “Gery,” 46, driver, who is a resident of Valenzuela City.
They were caught red-handed selling one master case each of Modern Red and New Berlin Red cigarettes to a police operative acting as poseur-buyer during the operation led by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Negros Occidental Provincial Field Unit.
They failed to present documents authorizing the lawful possession, distribution or sale of the tobacco products.
Police also confiscated 150 sacks of red onions found inside the vehicle.
On Sept. 24, the operation in Barangay Bubog, Talisay City led to the arrest of alias “Joe,” 48, and the recovery of four boxes containing 200 reams of Cannon Menthol cigarettes, which did not bear the required graphic health warnings.
The confiscated cigarettes, which was loaded in a Toyota Innova vehicle, has a market value of P130,000.
The suspect was unable to present the necessary documents for the tobacco products, prompting officers to secure the items and arrest him. | GPB
