Surigao city: Personnel from the Surigao del Norte Maritime Police Station (SDN-MARPSTA) on Tuesday confiscated 9,600 reams of smuggled cigarettes worth PHP4.8 million at the Lipata Ferry Terminal. In a statement Wednesday, SDN-MARPSTA reported that its unit, in a joint operation with the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office, the Bureau of Customs at Surigao Port, and local police, intercepted the contraband.

According to Philippines News Agency, two individuals were arrested during the operation for transporting the cigarettes that lack health warnings and tax stamps aboard a 10-wheeler truck. The arrested individuals, whose identities were withheld, were en route from General Santos City to Cavite when intercepted at the Lipata port.

The suspects face charges for violating Republic Act (RA) No. 8424 (Amending the National Internal Revenue Code), RA No. 10863 (Modernizing Customs and Tariff Administration), and RA No. 10643 (Instilling Health Consciousness through Tobacco Warnings).