By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan
MANILA – Two individuals were arrested while suspected illicit cigarettes worth PHP6 million were seized during a joint law enforcement operation in Baganga, Davao Oriental on Tuesday.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) reported on Wednesday that the operation stemmed from ongoing surveillance activities conducted by police operatives in the area.
Personnel from the Regional Special Operations Group 11, the Baganga Municipal Police Station, and other supporting units carried out the coordinated operation, which resulted in the arrest of the suspects and the confiscation of the contraband.
The PNP identified the suspects — two males aged 42 and 33 — were apprehended after authorities intercepted two delivery vehicles loaded with assorted master cases of suspected illicit cigarette products valued at around PHP6 million.
The seized items were properly marked and inventoried on-site in the presence of the arrested individuals, in accordance with standard police procedures.
The suspects are currently under the custody of the Baganga Municipal Police Station pending proper legal disposition.
In a separate operation on the same day, the PNP arrested a 33-year-old Indian national and seized from him government-assessed tax liability of PHP850,124.49 during an anti-cigarette smuggling operation in Besao, Mountain Province.
The suspect was apprehended for alleged violations of Republic Act No. 10643 or the Graphic Health Warning Law, and Republic Act No. 10963, otherwise known as the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law.
Seized during the operation were 82 reams of imported cigarettes in red variant, 15 reams of imported cigarettes in light variant, and 10 packs of assorted imported cigarette products lacking proper tax documentation and proof of lawful importation.
The operation was conducted through the joint efforts of local and regional police units in coordination with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR). (PNA)
