Photo courtesy of PNP/Facebook
Police operatives confiscated smuggled tobacco products worth about Php 3.3 million and arrested a suspect during an anti-smuggling operation in Negros Occidental on Sunday.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) said the operation was carried out in Sitio Mapait, Barangay Suay, where authorities intercepted the transport of illegal goods.
Joint teams from the Police Regional Office in the Negros Island Region and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group conducted the operation based on a mission order.
Seized from the suspect were dozens of master cases of assorted cigarettes and several reams of imported tobacco, along with a vehicle believed to have been used in transporting the items.
Authorities placed the estimated value of the confiscated goods at around Php 3,345,000.
The items were turned over to the Bureau of Internal Revenue office in Bacolod City for proper disposition, while the suspect was placed under custody for inquest proceedings.
Police said charges would be filed for alleged violations of laws related to tobacco regulation and taxation.
The PNP said it will continue enforcement efforts against smuggling, noting that illegal trade affects government revenues and market competition.