PHP 1.9 million Cebu cigarettes intercepted at Negros port

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — Authorities intercepted a van carrying PHP 1.9 million worth of suspected illicit cigarettes from Cebu at a seaport in Barangay 6, San Carlos City, Negros Occidental, shortly before midnight Monday.

Police Lt. Col. Nazer Canja, chief of the San Carlos City Police Station, said police tracked the vehicle after receiving a report about an alleged cigarette smuggling operation.

Canja said a 30-year-old driver and a 24-year-old helper, both from Toledo City, Cebu, voluntarily surrendered 33 master cases of cigarettes containing 60 reams each, or a total of 1,980 reams.

He said the vehicle was rented in Cebu and that the two individuals were tasked only with picking up the items.

Canja said the two did not provide information about the person who allegedly ordered the cigarettes.

The investigation is ongoing.

The interception follows a series of major illicit cigarette seizures in Negros Occidental in August, including PHP 26.6 million worth in Escalante City, PHP 21 million worth during a seaborne operation off Sipalay City, and PHP 14.6 million worth in Bago City.

Police in the Negros Island Region seized about PHP 195 million worth of illicit cigarettes and arrested 52 people from January through June as authorities intensified operations against the illegal tobacco trade.