CIDG seizes PHP 1.9 million in illicit cigarettes

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-Negros Occidental arrested three people in a buy-bust operation that led to the seizure of PHP 1.9 million worth of alleged illicit imported cigarettes at a warehouse in Barangay 8 on Saturday.

Arrested were a 56-year-old car mechanic from Zamboanga del Norte, a 39-year-old helper from Zamboanga Sibugay, and a 28-year-old car mechanic from Dipolog City.

Police Maj. Rhojn Darell Nigos, head of CIDG-Negros Occidental, said police operatives bought one master case of illicit cigarettes worth PHP 17,000 during the operation, which stemmed from intelligence information on reported cigarette smuggling.

Nigos said the group allegedly used bales of used clothing, locally known as “ukay-ukay,” to cover up the sale and transport of illicit cigarettes.

He said the owner, who remains at large, was previously arrested for the same offense last year in Negros Occidental.

Nigos said the owner may have posted bail, pleaded guilty, or been placed under probation, leading to his release from jail.

Based on intelligence gathering, the owner reportedly continued the same business until authorities launched the latest operation.

Aside from the cigarettes, authorities also recovered 180 bales of used clothing.

The seized cigarettes, which were allegedly unregistered with the Bureau of Internal Revenue, are under CIDG custody.

The recovered used clothing remained padlocked inside the warehouse.

Nigos said a 28-year-old woman who introduced herself as the caretaker questioned the presence of police when she arrived during the inventory of the seized items.

She was not arrested because she was not present during the operation, but she will be included in the filing of criminal complaints, along with the owner and the three employees, Nigos said.

Nigos said the three employees were willing to submit affidavits, claiming they had no knowledge that the business was illegal.

He said charges for violation of Republic Act 10643, or the Graphic Health Warning Law, and the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended by Republic Act 10963, or the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Law, will be filed against five people, including the owner.

Nigos said an additional case for violation of Republic Act 4653, which prohibits the commercial importation of used clothing and rags to protect public health and uphold national dignity, will also be filed.

The CIDG is investigating the source of the seized cigarettes.

The operation followed recent anti-smuggling efforts in the Negros Island Region.

Last month, the Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region intercepted an alleged shipment of PHP 40 million worth of illicit cigarettes and arrested 10 people during an intelligence-driven operation in Barangay Nagbo-alao, Basay, Negros Oriental.

The seizure also came after CIDG uncovered a warehouse allegedly used for illegal cigarette manufacturing in Barangay Lag-asan, Bago City, Negros Occidental, on May 12.

That operation was linked to an ongoing investigation into PHP 800 million worth of cigarette manufacturing materials earlier found in warehouses in Bacolod City and Barangay Calumangan, Bago City, on April 21.