Photo courtesy of PNP
Police seized cigarettes valued at more than Php 10.6 million during an operation in the waters off Balabac, Palawan, on July 26.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) said personnel intercepted a motorized banca while conducting an anti-smuggling operation with maritime units.
Authorities found 165 master cases of allegedly smuggled cigarettes aboard the vessel.
The confiscated products had an estimated market value of Php 10,636,800, according to the PNP.
Five suspects were arrested and taken into custody along with the seized cargo and watercraft.
Police said the evidence would be used in the filing of charges related to the alleged illegal shipment.
PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. commended the personnel involved and said authorities would sustain operations against illicit trade.
“Ang smuggling ay hindi lamang paglabag sa batas. May epekto ito sa ating ekonomiya at sa mga negosyong sumusunod sa tamang proseso. Kaya patuloy nating paiigtingin ang ating operasyon laban sa mga ilegal na gawain habang tinitiyak na ang lahat ng aksyon ay naaayon sa batas at may paggalang sa karapatan ng bawat isa,” Nartatez said.