CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – Law enforcement authorities recovered suspected illicit cigarettes worth P48.9 million in a wing van they intercepted during a joint operation in Barangay Cacutud, Mabalacat City past midnight of Sept. 7.
Conducted by personnel of the Regional Special Operations Group-Regional Intelligence Division 3, Mabalacat City Police Station, and Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-Region 3 led by Lt. Col. Lory Tarrazona, the operation followed more than a week of surveillance after authorities monitored the vehicle allegedly being used to transport and store master cases of suspected illicit cigarettes at a secluded location in the city.
A search of the truck led to the discovery of 759 master cases of “Modern” cigarettes—329 master cases of red packs and 430 master cases of blue packs. The products were observed to have no BIR tax stamps and remain subject to further examination and verification.
The cigarettes have an estimated market value of P48,955,500. Police also recovered the truck and three cellular phones, while four individuals aboard the vehicle were arrested.
The recovered items were inventoried in the presence of the arrested individuals and a barangay official. Alternative recording devices were also used during the operation in accordance with existing operational procedures.
The four arrested suspects and the recovered evidence were brought to RSOG-RID3 for documentation and proper disposition. PRO3 is coordinating with the appropriate government agencies to determine the applicable violations and to conduct further examination and verification of the recovered cigarette products
“This is more than a P48.9-million seizure. Every shipment of illicit goods that we stop is one less opportunity for illegal trade to profit at the expense of legitimate businesses and our communities. We will continue to use intelligence, coordination, and focused police operations to disrupt these activities before these products reach the market,” enthused Police Regional Office 3 director BGen. Jess B. Mendez. Punto News Team/PRO-3
