BALANGA CITY (PIA) — The Bataan Police Provincial Office (PPO) confiscated about P1.68 million worth of smuggled cigarettes during a buy-bust operation in Orion town.
Police operatives arrested a 58-year-old female suspect during the operation conducted at Sitio Araro, Barangay San Vicente on March 21.
Personnel from the Bataan Provincial Intelligence Unit, in coordination with the Orion Municipal Police Station (MPS) and the Bureau of Customs, carried out the operation that led to the confiscation of seven master case boxes of RGD cigarettes and 20 master case boxes of Modern cigarettes, with an estimated total value of P1,687,500.
The suspect and the seized items are now under the custody of the Orion MPS for proper documentation and disposition.
Authorities are preparing criminal complaints against the suspect for violation of Republic Act 8424, or the Tax Reform Act of 1997.
Bataan PPO Provincial Director Police Colonel Marites Salvadora warned individuals involved in the illegal cigarette trade to stop their unlawful activities, stressing that authorities will sustain intensified operations against illicit trade.
Police Regional Director PBGen. Jess Mendez said the accomplishment aligns with the directive of Secretary of the Interior and Local Government Jonvic Remulla and the focused agenda of Philippine National Police chief PGen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., emphasizing stronger inter-agency coordination and sustained law enforcement efforts.
The operation forms part of the national government’s intensified drive to curb smuggling and protect public revenues, reinforcing inter-agency collaboration to ensure tax compliance and economic stability. (CLJD/RPQ, PIA Region 3-Bataan)
