CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – Smuggled cigarettes worth over P47 million were found inside two unattended vans at a lot in Tarlac City, the Philippine National Police said on Tuesday.
In a statement, the PNP said the confiscation of the contraband was made in a follow-up operation two days after the arrest of four suspects in Sitio Pag-asa, Sinipit, Barangay Tibag, Tarlac City.
“During the follow-up operations, police units attempted to meet with the suspected supplier, who did not appear at the designated location. Continued area checking led operatives to discover a wing van and a closed van parked nearby,” the police said.
The subsequent inventory confirmed the seizure of 683 master cases of illicit cigarettes, all confiscated in Barangay Tibag, with a total estimated value of P47,530,000. The recovered items were turned over to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Tarlac for documentation and proper disposition.
CIDG Tarlac Office for documentation and proper disposition.
The PNP is actively pursuing investigative leads to identify and track down the supplier believed to be behind the smuggling operation.
Meanwhile, the four arrested individuals—whom the PNP did not immediately identify—are facing possible charges for violations of RA 7394 (Consumer Act of the Philippines), RA 8293 (Intellectual Property Code), and RA 10643 (Graphic Health Warnings Law).
“Illegal smuggling will not succeed under our watch. We will track down every responsible party and enforce the law without exception. Walang sinuman ang makakalusot sa batas; mananagot ang lahat ng sangkot,” vowed PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr.
Punto News Team/Photos: PNP
