By Teofilo Garcia, Jr.
ZAMBOANGA CITY – Authorities have seized around PHP1.3 million worth of smuggled cigarettes and a firearm with ammunition, and arrested two persons in Lanao del Norte, the police said Wednesday.
Col. Leo Sua, Lanao del Norte acting police director, said the smuggled cigarettes were seized when police successfully intercepted a vehicle in a dragnet operation around 8:20 p.m. Tuesday in Barangay Poblacion, Kapatagan. The vehicle was allegedly involved in a robbery-extortion incident in Tubod town earlier that day.
Sua identified the two arrested individuals as alias “Mark,” 36, the driver of the vehicle, and his companion, alias “Douglas,” 35, an auxiliary of the Lanao del Norte Provincial Highway Patrol Team.
“Upon inspection, the vehicle was found to be loaded with 34 master cases of alleged smuggled cigarettes with an estimated market value of PHP1.3 million,” Sua said in his report.
Operatives also discovered a bag containing a 9mm pistol with ammunition owned by Douglas during a subsequent inspection at the Kapatagan Municipal Police Station.
The two suspects are under further investigation to determine their participation in the alleged robbery-extortion incident in Tubod. They are currently in the custody of Kapatagan police.
Sua said the confiscated cigarettes will be turned over to the Bureau of Customs (BOC) in Iligan City for proper disposition.
In a separate incident, some PHP1.1 million worth of smuggled cigarettes were seized around 9:10 p.m. Monday in Purok 8, Barangay Bauyan, Sultan Naga Dimaporo, Lanao del Norte.
Sua said there were no arrests, as the supposed owner was not around when police arrived at the site, which was a banana plantation. The raid was prompted by a tip from concerned residents. (PNA)
