P11.8-M smuggled cigarettes seized in South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat
FILE PHOTO
KORONADAL CITY, SOUTH COTABATO – A total of P11.8 million worth of smuggled cigarettes were confiscated and three men arrested in South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat provinces in two days, police said.
The three men were arrested during a police checkpoint operation in Tantangan town, South Cotabato.
Colonel Samuel Cadungon, South Cotabato police director, said members of Tantangan municipal police office intercepted a cargo truck carrying smuggled cigarettes at about 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday.
READ: 2 arrested, P7.7 million smuggled cigarettes seized in Zambo Norte
Major Romeo Albano, Tantangan police chief, led the operation along with members of other police units in the province and the Soccsksargen (South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and Gen. Santos) region.
Article continues after this advertisementCadungon said a plain-view inspection revealed rims of suspected smuggled Y20 black menthol cigarettes. The driver, along with his two companions, failed to produce the necessary documents about their cargo, prompting the authorities to arrest them.
Article continues after this advertisementAt the Tantangan municipal police compound, police discovered and accounted for 118 boxes of Y20 cigarettes and 35 boxes of DOU cigarettes, all worth P8,216,100.
These were confiscated and the driver and two helpers were invited for questioning.
The suspects were later identified as alias “Ricky,” 28, and his companions as alias “Charles,” 29, and “Antonio,” 23, all residents of General Santos City.
In Kalamansig town, Sultan Kudarat, police seized P3.6 million worth of smuggled cigarettes on Tuesday.
Responding to a reported highway vehicular accident, personnel of Kalamansig municipal police station stumbled upon P3.6 million worth of contraband loaded in a cargo truck that crashed in Sitio Babangkaw, Barangay Paril.
No smugglers were arrested as they abandoned the Izusu Reefer van after it fell on a shallow ravine in Barangay Paril and exposed its illegal cargoes.
“The arrest of the three (suspected) smugglers and the seizure of the smuggled cigarettes demonstrate our commitment to upholding the law and safeguarding the security of our community. We will continue our relentless efforts to combat illicit activities and ensure that those responsible are held accountable,” said Brig. Gen. Arnold Ardiente, Soccsksargen acting regional director.
