• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The campaign against illicit tobacco products by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group recently led to the confiscation of about P1.83 million worth of smuggled cigarettes in Barangay Estefania, Bacolod City.
According to a report, the CIDG arrested two suspects, with aliases of Primo and Mar, both residents of Brgy. Estefania, Bacolod City, following the seizure of 46 master cases of RDG class classics, GTM filter, Thunder, Green Hills, Cannon, and Modern tobacco products worth P1,830,000.
The two suspects were caught in the act of selling and trading assorted cigarettes without the required graphic health warnings and BIR tax stamps – a violation of Republic Act 10643 (Graphic Health Warning Law), and Republic Act No. 8424 (Tax Reform Act of 1997), according to CIDG.
The CIDG leadership lauded CIDG-Negros Island Region led by PLt. Col. Edilmar Alviar for the confiscation of suspected smuggled cigarettes and arrest of two violators.*
