• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
An estimated P2 million worth of smuggled cigarettes were seized by operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group during a buy-bust operation on April 6 at Barangay Old Namangka in Mabinay, Negros Oriental.
In tandem with the Mabinay Police Station, CIDG operatives recovered 40 master cases of branded suspected smuggled cigarettes, following the arrest of a suspect during the buy-bust operation.
Eleven master cases, which is equivalent to 550 reams of Red Native and Menthol Cannon cigarettes, were also surrendered by alias Umar to the police on April 7 in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental.
The smuggled cigarettes, with a market value of P550,000, were hidden in a storage area at AE Avenue in Brgy. 3, San Carlos City, according to the police.
Policemen also recovered 60 more reams of smuggled cigarettes – New Berlin, Menthol Premiex, New Castle, and Cannon Menthol – which were abandoned in front of the house of a certain Abel at Toreno Heights Subdivision in Brgy. 9, Victorias City, Negros Occidental.
The recovered items have an estimated market value of P70,000.
A van loaded with suspected smuggled cigarettes was also discovered to have been abandoned by its owner on April 6 along the roadside of Sitio Canlayohan, Brgy. Gil Montilla, Sipalay City, Negros Occidental.
Upon inspection, the Sipalay police saw boxes of cigarettes inside the van, through its tinted windows, including packs labeled “Busqu.”
From January to March 29 this year, the Philippine National Police reported to have seized about P2 billion worth of smuggled cigarettes in nationwide operations, as it intensified its campaign against illegal tobacco trade.
The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group recorded the highest value of confiscations at over P690 million, followed by Police Regional Office-Zamboanga Peninsula (PRO-9) with more than P147 million and PRO-4A (Calabarzon) with over P116 million.
PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said smuggling has a huge impact on the economy and vowed to dismantle illegal networks.* with PNA reports
