Photo courtesy of PNP
Four people were arrested after authorities intercepted two trucks carrying suspected smuggled cigarettes worth about Php 63.6 million in Madalum, Lanao del Sur, the Philippine National Police said.
The operation was conducted on July 19 following information received by military authorities about the movement of the vehicles.
Police said the two wing van trucks and their occupants were turned over for investigation and appropriate legal proceedings.
Initial information showed that the cigarette shipment was reportedly being transported to Marawi City.
A joint inspection of the vehicles yielded 800 master cases of Modern cigarettes from one truck and 688 master cases of Modern and Englishman cigarettes from the other.
The 1,488 master cases had an estimated market value of Php 63,662,592, according to authorities.
The seized products were marked, photographed, inventoried and secured as evidence for possible charges under the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act and the Graphic Health Warnings Act.
PNP Chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said smuggling harmed government revenue, legitimate businesses and local livelihoods, adding that police units would continue coordinating with other agencies while observing due process in enforcement operations.
