PHP892,385 Worth of Smuggled Cigarettes Seized; Vendors Nabbed

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD CITY – Two vendors were arrested after Maritime police confiscated PHP892,385 worth of smuggled cigarettes at Bago Public Market, Purok Malipayon, Barangay Makiling, Sagay City, Negros Occidental, on Saturday.

The suspects, identified as alias “Nasif,” 25, and alias “Sadik,” 21, both residents of Barangay Balintawak, Escalante City, were apprehended, while three others managed to escape.

Authorities seized a box containing 50 reams of cigarettes, an additional 68 reams, 91 packs of various cigarette brands, and a tricycle. They also recovered 81 packs and 1,344 reams of counterfeit cigarettes.

Police Lt. Col. Ervin Glenn Provido, head of the Regional Maritime Unit (RMU)-6, said the suspects were arrested for allegedly selling smuggled and fake cigarette brands in the market.

“These cigarettes did not undergo proper procedures, so selling them is not allowed,” he added.

Provido said it took two months of monitoring the illegal activity, following a complaint. The smuggled cigarettes are believed to have originated from the southern part of the country.

The suspects may face charges for violating Republic Act (RA) 10863, or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA), and RA 8293, or the Intellectual Property Code.

The operation was conducted in coordination with the Sagay City police, the Bureau of Customs, and the Bureau of Internal Revenue.