CIDG uncovers Bago City cigarette warehouse

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group uncovered another warehouse allegedly being used for illegal cigarette manufacturing in Purok Pulang Duta, Barangay Lag-asan, Bago City, Negros Occidental, on Tuesday.

According to the Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region, the inspection was linked to the ongoing investigation into the PHP 800 million worth of cigarette manufacturing materials earlier discovered in warehouses here and in Barangay Calumangan, Bago City, on April 21.

The April 21 operation was part of a broader crackdown on alleged illegal cigarette manufacturing in Negros Occidental, where authorities earlier reported the discovery of cigarette-making equipment, packaging materials and raw materials.

The recent inspection led to the arrest of one of the three suspects, identified only as Jo, 29, a caretaker from Barangay Villamonte here.

During the inspection, operatives found various raw materials and packaging supplies believed to be used for the production and packaging of cigarettes.

Among the items recovered were 400 rolls of plastic wrapping, 36 boxes containing 60 pieces each of green packaging tape, 22 containers of white-blue adhesive, 130 containers of white glue adhesive, 25 boxes of adhesive tape containing 60 rolls each, and piles of waste materials used in tobacco packaging.

Authorities also seized a Ford Ranger 4×2 and an Isuzu wing van truck.

Still at large are two other suspects identified only as Ber, reportedly a warehouse owner from Bacolod City, and Ab, an operations manager from Bago City.

The PRO-NIR urged the public to remain vigilant and immediately report suspicious and illegal activities to authorities as the investigation continues.

Meanwhile, an estimated PHP 2.3 million worth of smuggled cigarettes was turned over to police Wednesday.

Recovered were 23 boxes of cigarettes, with each box containing 100 reams.

Police said the recovery was made possible through the vigilance and prompt action of a barangay official who reported several abandoned boxes of suspected smuggled cigarettes found along the roadside.