P3.9-M Worth of Smuggled Cigarettes Seized in Roxas City

By Felipe V. Celino

ROXAS CITY, Capiz—Authorities confiscated an estimated PHP 3.9 million worth of smuggled cigarettes during an anti-smuggling operation conducted by the Regional Special Operations Group (RSOG) 6 and Roxas City Police on Friday afternoon, January 24, at a business establishment on Taft Street, Barangay 3, Roxas City.

The operation led to the arrest of two suspects identified as Max Santos Tan, 79, of Taft Street, Roxas City, and Jefferson Gonzaga, 25, of Barangay Cagay.

Authorities used PHP 177,000 in buy-bust money during the operation.

The suspects will face charges for violating Republic Act 10863, also known as the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.

Items Recovered

Recovered smuggled cigarettes included:

• Buy-bust items:
  • 5 master cases of Carnival cigarettes
  • 5 master cases of RGD cigarettes
  • PHP 177,000 in buy-bust money, including one marked PHP 500 bill (serial no. AW8621795)
• Additional items:
  • 14 master cases of Mighty cigarettes
  • 1 master case of Fortune cigarettes
  • 15 master cases of Camel cigarettes
  • 8 master cases of Chesterfield cigarettes
  • 6 master cases of H&P cigarettes
  • 8 master cases of Carnival cigarettes
  • 3 master cases of RGD cigarettes

The suspects are currently detained at the Roxas City Police Station for proper disposition.