• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
An estimated P12.8 million worth of smuggled cigarettes were seized on Monday by Maritime police operatives at Sitio Bagambang in Barangay Tiling, Cauayan, Negros Occidental.
The successful operation of the Bacolod City Maritime police operatives, headed by P/Capt. Reynaldo Bauden Jr., in tandem with personnel of the Bureau of Customs Region 6 and Intellectual Property Office in Manila, was triggered by information they received on the transport of smuggled cigarettes along the shoreline of Cauayan.
Two suspects, identified only by their aliases Jun Jun and Mar, were arrested by authorities for having smuggled cigarettes in their possession, which is a violation of RA 10863 or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.
Bacolod City MARPSTA reported on its Facebook page, that they seized Dunston, Fort, Casablanca, and Champion brand cigarettes, and two panel vans.
The cigarettes were valued at P12.8 million, while the vehicles were worth P2.5 million, bringing the total estimated value of the confiscated items to P15.3 million, according to the maritime police.*
