By Edwin Fernandez
COTABATO CITY – Police personnel, acting on a tip about the transport of smuggled cigarettes, arrested a woman and seized from her over PHP1.8 million worth of contraband along the national highway in Matanog, Maguindanao del Norte, on Thursday noon.
Brig Gen. Jaysen de Guzman, police regional director for Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR), said joint personnel from Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, the police’s Special Action Force, and Matanog municipal police station intercepted the woman in Barangay Bugasan Norte, Matanog.
“Our troops acted on time after receiving information regarding an individual involved in the illegal sale and transport of undocumented cigarettes lacking the required graphic health warnings,” de Guzman said in a statement.
Seized during the operation were 35 master cases of Fort cigarettes, each containing 50 reams, along with two vehicles (a multi-cab and a minivan) and the marked money used in the operation.
De Guzman said an on-site inventory of the confiscated items was immediately conducted in the presence of a barangay official, ensuring transparency and adherence to proper procedures.
The arrested suspect was apprised of her constitutional rights, including those under Republic Act 9745, in a language known and understood by her.
The suspect and the confiscated evidence were brought to the CIDG Regional Field Unit BAR Office for proper documentation and disposition.
De Guzman commended the operating units and reaffirmed the organization’s intensified campaign against smuggling.
“This operation sends a clear message that PRO-BAR remains firm against illegal trade. We will continue to pursue offenders and hold them accountable,” he said.
De Guzman also underscored the critical role of interagency collaboration and assured the public that operations would be sustained and strengthened to curb all forms of illegal activity across the region. (PNA)
