• RICHARD T. CABALLERO JR.
Sipalay Component City Police Station has seize 1,000 reams of smuggled cigarettes valued at P460,000 at Purok Isdaan, Zone 1, Barangay Cartagena on Tuesday afternoon.
Initial investigation revealed that authorities received a report from a concerned resident regarding a suspicious vehicle always seen in the area.
Upon arrival of the police, they spotted the reported vehicle, a Toyota Revo, unloading one open box containing smuggled cigarettes.
Authorities approached the man, who was also the driver of the vehicle and asked if he was selling cigarettes. Upon verification, it was found that the cigarettes had no graphic health warning.
The suspect identified as alias ‘Biling,’ 42, was arrested for violation of RA 10643 otherwise known as Graphic Health Warnings Law.
Police recovered 20 boxes composed of 1,000 reams of smuggled cigarettes with the brand ‘Bosqu.’ The seized items, including the vehicle, were placed under the custody of Sipalay CCPS for proper disposition.
The investigator-on-case has coordinated with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) in Binalbagan for assistance in verifying the authenticity of the confiscated cigarette products, for guidance on the applicable tax laws and regulations violated.*
