Negros police seize PHP 26.6 million in illicit cigarettes

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — The Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) reported another major seizure in its campaign against the illicit cigarette trade after authorities confiscated PHP 26.6 million worth of suspected smuggled cigarettes and arrested a 29-year-old man in Purok Cogon 1, Barangay Alimango, Escalante City, Negros Occidental, on Tuesday.

The intelligence-driven operation led by the Regional Special Operations Group-Negros Island Region resulted in the arrest of a Sagay City resident identified only by the alias “JC.”

Authorities recovered 447 master cases of alleged illicit cigarettes that police said bore unauthorized tax seals and lacked required graphic health warnings.

Police valued the cigarettes at about PHP 26.6 million and cited a value of PHP 57,300 per master case.

Under Republic Act 10643, or the Graphic Health Warnings Law, tobacco products introduced into the Philippine market must carry prescribed graphic health warnings, while Bureau of Internal Revenue regulations require internal revenue stamps on cigarettes manufactured or imported for domestic sale.

Police Brig. Gen. Romano Cardiño, PRO-NIR director, said the seizure showed that the regional police campaign against illicit trade extends beyond illegal drugs and other criminal activities.

“We are equally determined to disrupt the illegal movement of untaxed and unauthorized products that undermine lawful businesses and deprive the government of legitimate revenues,” he added.

In a statement, Philippine National Police Chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. highlighted the importance of intelligence work and coordinated police action in addressing activities that undermine lawful commerce and government revenues.

Nartatez said, “We have to stay ahead of these activities.”

“Hindi sapat na hintayin nating kumalat ang mga illicit goods bago tayo kumilos,” he added.

Nartatez said intelligence and coordination allow authorities to intervene early and protect legitimate businesses and the public.

He added that the PNP will continue strengthening partnerships with other government agencies, particularly in areas vulnerable to the movement of illicit goods.

The latest seizure followed the recovery of PHP 594,000 worth of suspected smuggled cigarettes from an abandoned truck in Barangay Salong, Kabankalan City, the confiscation of PHP 21 million worth of contraband during a seaborne patrol off Sipalay City, and the seizure of PHP 14.6 million worth of smuggled cigarettes in Bago City this month.

During the first half of the year, PRO-NIR’s campaign against cigarette smuggling yielded PHP 195 million worth of seizures and led to the arrest of 52 people.

In April, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group dismantled a reported large-scale illegal cigarette manufacturing and distribution network and recovered about PHP 800 million worth of equipment, raw materials, and packaging supplies from warehouses in Bacolod City and Bago City.

The operation also led to the arrest of 10 Chinese nationals and four Filipino workers during a joint inspection of a warehouse in Barangay Calumangan, Bago City.

Cardiño said the series of operations against cigarette smuggling in the region has helped curb the illicit trade.

He said heightened police operations have made people more aware of the crackdown and prompted some to surrender smuggled items.

Cardiño said the developments would not cause police to lower their guard, adding that authorities would strengthen intelligence gathering and intensify enforcement operations.