Batangas city: The Philippine National Police (PNP) will conduct a thorough investigation into the PHP1.1 billion worth of smuggled cigarettes discovered during an anti-carnapping operation in Batangas City on New Year's Eve. "We need to identify and run after those responsible," acting PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez said, emphasizing the significant amount involved.
According to Philippines News Agency, the discovery was made after operatives of the PNP-Highway Patrol Group (HPG) located a red Hyundai Accent that was reported stolen in Las Pi±as City. During the site inspection in Sitio Singko, Balete, Batangas City around noon on Wednesday, HPG operatives noticed several motor vehicles, including trucks and container vans that later turned out to be containing smuggled cigarettes.
No suspect was arrested during the operation, but Nartatez stated they are now working with the Bureau of Customs and other concerned agencies to gather more information about the contraband. Follow-up operations are also being conducted by the HPG based on the intelligence reports. "These smugglers are robbing the Filipino people of tax and other financial obligations to the national government. Their illegal activities have serious economic impact, and this must be stopped," Nartatez said.
Nartatez ordered the PNP to prepare and file airtight cases against those behind the smuggling operation. "This case does not end in the confiscation of these smuggled cigarettes. I have already ordered a thorough investigation into this to identify and build strong cases against those responsible for this illegal activity," he added. The PNP chief personally went to Batangas City to inspect the confiscated contraband.
Meanwhile, four individuals were arrested and more or less PHP1.5 billion worth of unregistered cigarettes were seized during an operation conducted by the PNP-HPG in Malabon City on Wednesday night. Marantan said the arrest stemmed after two motorcycle riders, both male and not wearing helmets, ignored police attempts to flag them, prompting a pursuit operation around 10:30 p.m. The riders were eventually cornered inside a logistics facility along M.H. Del Pilar Avenue, resulting in the arrest of one of them. During the incident, authorities discovered 18 containers stacked with unregistered imported cigarettes estimated to be worth more or less PHP1.5 billion.
Three individuals were subsequently arrested for failing to provide documentation for the seized goods. The apprehended rider was issued a Temporary Operator's Permit for not wearing a helmet, while the containers and their contents were properly secured and cordoned for further investigation.
