PRO-NIR seizes PHP 10.2 million illicit cigarettes

BACOLOD CITY — The Regional Intelligence Division of the Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region seized an estimated PHP 10.2 million worth of suspected illicit cigarettes in Sitio Batang, Barangay Talaban, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental, on Monday.

Police arrested alias “Omar,” while aliases “Jun” and “Jake” remained at large, with all three identified as residents of Jolo, Sulu.

The operation yielded 63 master cases of D&B cigarettes and 74 boxes of the same brand containing 25 reams each.

Authorities also recovered 25 master cases of YS Menthol cigarettes and 102 boxes of YS Red cigarettes containing 25 reams each.

Police said the seized tobacco products lacked permits from the concerned government agencies and allegedly did not carry the required graphic health warnings.

Authorities said appropriate charges are being prepared for alleged violations of Republic Act No. 10643, or the Graphic Health Warnings Law, and Republic Act No. 12022, or the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act, subject to further investigation.

Republic Act No. 10643 requires covered tobacco products introduced into the Philippine market to bear prescribed graphic health warnings and allows the removal or confiscation of noncompliant products.

Republic Act No. 12022 includes tobacco among the agricultural products covered by the law and defines smuggled tobacco to include products that fail to comply with applicable importation, tax, packaging and regulatory requirements.

The arrested suspect is under the custody of the Himamaylan City Police Station.

The confiscated cigarettes were temporarily secured for safekeeping pending turnover to the Bureau of Customs for examination and proper disposition.

Police said the investigation and pursuit operations against the two other suspects are continuing.

Police Brig. Gen. Rudecindo Reales, PRO-NIR director, said operations against smuggling would be intensified throughout the region.

“We will intensify our operations against smuggling and pursue those who engage in the illegal movement and distribution of illicit goods,” Reales said in a statement.

He also vowed to strengthen coordination with the Bureau of Customs, National Tobacco Administration and other partner agencies to ensure that illicit activities are detected, disrupted and brought before the proper authorities.

“There will be no let-up in our campaign against smuggling,” he added.

Reales commended the operating units and partner agencies for the operation, emphasizing the importance of intelligence-driven and coordinated law enforcement efforts against illicit trade and smuggling.

PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. said the operation demonstrated how timely information sharing and coordinated action could help address the movement of goods that may fall outside established regulatory requirements.

“Hindi lang ito tungkol sa pagkumpiska ng mga produkto. Ang mahalaga, nagkakaisa ang mga ahensya sa pagkuha ng tamang impormasyon at sa maingat na pagpapatupad ng batas,” Nartatez said in a statement.

Nartatez said police operations must not only be effective but also lawful, properly documented and respectful of individual rights.

The operation followed the seizure of PHP 8.8 million worth of suspected illicit cigarettes by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-Negros Occidental during a buy-bust operation in Barangay 3, Isabela, on Sept. 25.