Law enforcement authorities seized an estimated P1.1 billion worth of suspected smuggled cigarettes on Wednesday in Batangas City after a stolen vehicle investigation led them to a fleet of abandoned trailer trucks.
The Philippine National Police Highway Patrol Group (PNP HPG) discovered the massive contraband stash in Sitio Singko, Barangay Balete, while tracking a sedan that had been reported stolen earlier that morning.
According to the HPG, the owner of the stolen vehicle used a Global Positioning System (GPS) to trace the car’s location to a private lot in the area.
Upon arrival, officers located the stolen sedan but noted several unattended trailer trucks and a container van parked nearby.
A subsequent assessment of the vehicles led to the discovery of the illicit tobacco products.
Initial estimates from the HPG place the market value of the seized cigarettes at P1.1 billion.
The operation marks one of the largest cigarette
seizures in the region in recent months.
The HPG is currently coordinating with the
Bureau of Customs (BOC) and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to conduct a full inventory of the seized goods and to determine the origin of the shipment.
No arrests were made at the scene as the vehicles were found without drivers or registered owners present.
Authorities are now conducting a follow-up investigation to identify the individuals or syndicates behind the shipment.
nThe seized trucks and their cargo have been secured and will face forfeiture proceedings for violations of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act and tax regulations.