• RICHARD T. CABALLERO JR.
Authorities uncovered approximately 130 reams of cigarettes suspected to be smuggled, abandoned at Hacienda Casal-agan Dako, Barangay DSB, Pontevedra, Negros Occidental, at around 11 p.m. yesterday.
According to police reports, a confidential informant reported sightings of plastic bags containing reams of smuggled cigarettes left in the area.
Upon verification, law enforcement seized the items, which included three plastic bags holding 40 reams of “Canon Menthol” cigarettes, one sack containing another 40 reams branded “Tradition,” and a master case with 50 reams of the same brand.
Based on the suggested retail price (SRP), the total estimated value of the recovered cigarettes is approximately P100,000.
All items were properly documented in the presence of the Barangay Chairman and subsequently transported to the Pontevedra Municipal Police Station for proper documentation and safekeeping.
The confiscated cigarettes have been referred to the appropriate law enforcement agencies for proper disposition.
The recent discovery adds to a series of cigarette seizures in the province this year.
On November 27, authorities intercepted around 100 boxes of assorted smuggled cigarettes at Old Pantalan, Barangay Cartagena, Sipalay City. The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) suspect that the contraband are part of a large-scale smuggling operation originating from Mindanao.
The biggest operation was recorded on October 3, the Negros Island Region Maritime Unit and Himamaylan City Police Station jointly conducted a raid in Barangay Talaban, which resulted in the confiscation of smuggled cigarettes valued at approximately P11.12 million.*
