Photo courtesy of PNP/Facebook
The Philippine National Police (PNP) reported the seizure of more than Php 92 million worth of smuggled cigarettes and illegal drugs in separate operations conducted from April 2 to 3.
In Maguindanao del Norte, authorities recovered a large volume of suspected smuggled cigarettes in Datu Odin Sinsuat town during an evening operation.
Police said the items, consisting of over a thousand master cases and several boxes, were found abandoned in Barangay Dinaig Proper and were later secured for proper disposition.
The seized cigarettes were estimated to be worth more than Php 50 million and were set to be turned over to the Bureau of Customs.
In a separate operation in Misamis Oriental, authorities also discovered hundreds of master cases of suspected smuggled cigarettes inside an abandoned truck along a national highway.
Police said the driver fled the scene upon noticing law enforcers and remained unidentified.
Meanwhile, in Quezon, a fisherman found suspected shabu weighing over three kilograms in Patnanungan town, which was later handed over to authorities.
The illegal drugs, valued at more than Php 22 million, were submitted to a provincial forensic unit for examination.
PNP Chief Pltgen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said these operations showed continued efforts to curb smuggling and illegal drugs, adding that police would sustain intelligence-driven actions and community coordination to hold those responsible accountable.
