Photo courtesy of Philippine National Police/Facebook.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) seized a large shipment of smuggled cigarettes valued at more than ₱47 million during a follow-up operation in Tarlac City, authorities said Wednesday.
The recovery was made after an overnight operation conducted from late Feb. 9 until the morning of Feb. 10 in Sitio Pag-asa, Barangay Tibag.
The operation was carried out by joint units led by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Tarlac Provincial Field Unit, with support from other police units and partner agencies, as part of continuing efforts to curb illegal tobacco trade.
Police said the operation stemmed from a buy-bust conducted on Feb. 8 in the same area, which resulted in the arrest of four individuals for alleged violations of laws on smuggling, consumer protection and firearms.
During the follow-up, operatives attempted to meet a suspected supplier who failed to appear, prompting officers to conduct additional area checks.
Authorities later found a wing van and a closed van parked nearby. An inspection, done in the presence of barangay officials, revealed boxes containing suspected smuggled cigarettes, with no individuals found guarding the vehicles.
An inventory showed 683 master cases of illicit cigarettes recovered in Barangay Tibag, with an estimated value of ₱47.53 million. The seized items were turned over to the CIDG Tarlac office for documentation and proper disposition.
Police said they were continuing efforts to identify and locate those behind the smuggling activity, adding that further investigation was ongoing.