• GILBERT P. BAYORAN / THERESA MAE DULMAN
The government campaign against illegal tobacco trade on Sunday led to the confiscation of P45 million worth of contraband cigarettes in Barangay Binalbagan, Canlaon City, Negros Oriental, following the arrest of four suspects.
The joint operation conducted by intelligence operatives of Police Regional Office- Negros Island Region, Negros Oriental Police Province Office, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, PNP Maritime Group, and Canlaon City Police Station led to the apprehension of four suspects, who are residents of Dipolog City, Lanao del Norte, Zamboanga Sibugay and Zamboanga del Norte.
Recovered were Isuzu 10-wheeler wing van and Isuzu Elf 6-wheeler panel van containing 450 master cases of Oris Menthol and D&J menthol cigarettes
Over a two-week period, PRO-NIR seized 56,393 reams of illegal cigarettes, with a market value of P138,580,796, a result of 25 anti-illicit cigarette operations, resulting in the arrest of 12 individuals.
These figures reflect the sustained operational momentum of PRO-NIR in disrupting the supply chain of smuggled tobacco products and preventing their distribution within local markets, according to regional police spokesperson Lt. Col. Joem Malong.
Among the notable operational accomplishments achieved by PRO-NIR were the confiscation of P28.3 million worth contraband cigarettes on April 13 in barangays of To-oy and Su-ay in Himamaylan City, aside from those confiscated in Canlaon City, Negros Oriental.
On April 14, an estimated P21 million worth of alleged smuggled cigarettes were surrendered by the driver of a six-wheeler van and his helper to policemen, who were manning a checkpoint at the Circumferential Road in Brgy. Villamonte, Bacolod City.
The inspection of the vehicle led to the discovery of 215 boxes of Tabaco and Cannon cigarettes, with an estimated value of P21 million.
HINOBAAN SEIZURE
Four individuals were arrested and over P13.7 million worth of smuggled cigarettes were seized during a police operation at a resort in Barangay Pook, Hinobaan, Negros Occidental, on April 17.
The Police Regional Office Negros Island Region (PRO NIR) identified the suspects by their aliases ‘Fat,’ 39, of Bacolod City; ‘Bry,’ 40, of Zamboanga Sibugay; ‘Pip,’ 57, of Bacolod City, and ‘Rom,’ 43, of Zamboanga Sibugay.
Authorities intercepted the group in possession of 275 master cases of cigarettes, comprising 188 cases of Canon Black Menthol and 87 cases of Canon Menthol, which lacked the required Bureau of Internal Revenue tax stamps.
Two Isuzu Elf six-wheeler panel vans used for transport were also confiscated.
The Regional Intelligence Division (RID) led the operation, supported by various units including the CIDG and the PNP Maritime Group.
The suspects allegedly violated Republic Act 10643, or the Graphic Health Warnings Law, and provisions of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997.
Following an on-site inventory, the arrested individuals were placed under the custody of the RID PRO NIR for documentation, while the seized items were turned over to BIR Region No. 12 in Bacolod City.
PRO NIR said in a statement that the operation is part of an ongoing effort to address the sale of illicit tobacco products, citing concerns over government revenue loss and public health risks
LAUDED
In a statement, PBrig. Gen. Arnold Thomas Ibay, regional police director of Negros Island Region, lauded the operating units for their swift and coordinated action against smuggling activities and other forms of economic sabotage.*
