Dumaguete: Police and other law enforcement agencies seized an estimated PHP15 million worth of suspected smuggled cigarettes and arrested three persons during a joint operation at the port here, a police official said Thursday.
According to Philippines News Agency, Capt. Stephen Jaynard Polinar, spokesperson of the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office (NOrPPO), stated that the suspects were intercepted after arriving aboard a Roll-on, Roll-off (Ro-Ro) vessel from Dapitan City in Mindanao. The individuals arrested were identified only as alias "JM," 32, a truck driver from Pagadian City; "Joy," 22, a passenger also from Pagadian City; and "AA," 27, a passenger from Parang, Sulu.
Capt. Polinar explained that intelligence information was received around 7 p.m. Wednesday regarding a truck carrying undocumented cigarettes bound for Dumaguete City. The RORO vessel docked at about 10:36 p.m., leading law enforcement personnel to inspect a green Canter truck. During the inspection, authorities discovered the suspected smuggled cigarettes concealed beneath 200 boxes of dried fish valued at around PHP90,000.
The inspection revealed 68 master cases of Walter Premium cigarettes and 195 master cases of Busqu Full Flavor cigarettes, with an estimated total value of PHP15 million. Polinar noted that the suspects have not yet identified the consignee of the undocumented cigarettes and dried fish.
The three suspects are currently under investigation for potential violations of Republic Act 10643, concerning the Graphic Health Warnings Law; Republic Act 10863, related to the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act; and Republic Act 12022, addressing the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act.
The operation was executed by the NOrPPO in collaboration with the Police Regional Office - Negros Island Region, the Philippine Coast Guard, the Bureau of Customs-Subport of Dumaguete, the Philippine Ports Authority Police, the Philippine Highway Patrol Team, Maritime Police, Sibulan Municipal Police Station, Dumaguete City Police Station, and other law enforcement units. The seized cigarettes are currently under the custody of the PCG, pending their turnover to the Bureau of Customs for proper disposition.
