Chinese national nabbed for PHP7.8-M cigarette smuggling

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY – Authorities arrested a 41-year-old Chinese national in connection with the seizure of PHP 7.8 million worth of smuggled cigarettes during a raid in a barangay here.

According to a report from the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group–Negros Island Region (CIDG-NIR) released on Sept. 1, the arrest took place on Aug. 29 following intelligence reports about the suspect’s alleged involvement in the illegal sale of cigarettes.

The suspect, identified only as “Allan,” was reportedly engaged in the unauthorized trade of smuggled tobacco products.

Confiscated during the operation were 42 boxes of Carnival (red) cigarettes, 271 boxes and 10 packs of New Berlin cigarettes, 23 packs of Carnival cigarettes, and one ream of Nise cigarettes.

Police said the suspect violated several provisions of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended by Republic Act 10963.

These include Section 263 (unlawful possession or removal of untaxed items), Section 254 (tax evasion), and Section 255 (failure to file and pay taxes, or supply accurate information).

The operation was conducted in coordination with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) No. 12, CIDG-Negros Occidental, CIDG-Bacolod, and Police Station 9.

Teacher, three others fall in drug sting

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency–Negros Island Region (PDEA-NIR) Special Enforcement Team arrested a 42-year-old public school teacher in a drug bust in Barangay Enclaro, Binalbagan, Negros Occidental, on Aug. 31.

The suspect, identified as “Joffel,” was tagged by PDEA as a high-value target.

Seized during the buy-bust operation were nine sachets of suspected shabu with an estimated weight of 25 grams.

PDEA-NIR also dismantled an alleged drug den and apprehended three persons in a separate drug bust in Barangay Estefania here on Aug. 30.

The operation resulted in the arrest of “Edgar,” 54, a meat vendor; “Gerald,” 37, an e-bike driver; and “Peter,” 40, a messenger, all residents of Barangay Estefania.

Authorities confiscated from the three suspects 19 sachets of suspected shabu weighing 16 grams, an improvised glass tooter, a broken improvised glass tooter, and three lighters.