PHP 300K Smuggled Cigarettes Seized in Capiz

By Felipe V. Celino

ROXAS CITY, CAPIZ — Police confiscated six cartons of smuggled cigarettes during a raid in Barangay Milibili on Monday morning, March 17.

The Capiz Maritime Police (CMP) recovered the illegal cigarettes while executing a search warrant at the residence of Cesar Sabtal around 7 a.m.

CMP Chief Captain Semdam Sitchon said authorities had been monitoring Sabtal for nearly a year after receiving complaints about his illegal activities.

Sitchon confirmed that the smuggled cigarettes, valued at PHP 300,000, originated from Indonesia and included brands such as Delta, New Berlin, Cannon, and Champion.

The contraband was reportedly transported from Negros Island and stored at Sabtal’s residence.

Sabtal will face charges for violating Section 1401 (Unlawful Importation or Exportation) of Republic Act No. 10863, also known as the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA), and Republic Act No. 10643 or the Graphic Health Warning Law.

The suspect is currently in the custody of CMP for proper disposition.