Four Arrested for PHP55,000 in Smuggled Cigarettes

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY – Police raided four sari-sari stores in Barangay San Pedro, Binalbagan, Negros Occidental, on Tuesday for allegedly selling fake and smuggled cigarettes.

Police Major Jun Ray Batadlan, chief of the Binalbagan Police, said authorities acted on reports of illicit cigarette sales in the public market.

During the raid, store owners and helpers surrendered 36 reams and 60 packs of assorted cigarettes worth PHP55,000.

The confiscated items were turned over to the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) office in Barangay Taculing.

Batadlan said the four individuals violated Section 263 of Republic Act 8424, or the Tax Reform Act of 1997, specifically the unlawful possession or removal of articles subject to excise tax without payment.

He added that the cigarettes had not undergone proper BIR processing and were untaxed.

The BIR will determine whether to file charges against those involved.

Batadlan also warned others engaged in similar illegal activities that authorities will continue to crack down on smuggled goods.