• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The police reported on Thursday that the confiscated contraband in Barangay 2, Ilog, Negros Occidental, on Wednesday, has a market value of P3,875,000.
A 19-year-old Malaysian and three Filipinos are now in the custody of the Ilog Police Station, following their arrests on Wednesday for violation of RA 8424, known as the Tax Reform Act of 1997.
The Ilog police led by PMaj. Joseph Partidas, assisted the Bureau of Internal Revenue, Philippine Coast Guard and Bantay Dagat personnel, in the confiscation of 155 boxes of untaxed assorted brands of cigarettes, containing 7,750 reams of cigarettes.
Prior to the confiscation of suspected smuggled cigarettes, Partidas said they received information on the shipment of contraband in the territorial waters of Ilog and neighboring areas.
Initial police investigation indicated that the suspected smuggled cigarettes came from Zamboanga and were transported to Ilog town over a span of almost two days.
Partidas said that the four detained suspects are expected to undergo inquest proceedings today.*
