Smuggled cigarettes seized after Negros road crashes

By Glazyl M. Jopson

Four people were arrested after they figured in separate road accidents while fleeing from authorities in Vallehermoso, Negros Oriental, following the seizure of PHP 2.6 million worth of suspected smuggled cigarettes July 4.

The Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region reported that the Guihulngan City Police Station, in coordination with the Regional Special Operations Group, initiated a hot pursuit operation against two Toyota Revo vehicles allegedly transporting suspected smuggled cigarettes.

Guihulngan police sought the assistance of the Vallehermoso Municipal Police Station, which immediately established a checkpoint to intercept the fleeing vehicles.

Police later learned that the two vehicles had crashed separately in Barangays Puan and Molobolo in Vallehermoso.

The first accident happened in Barangay Puan, where 32-year-old Hamza of Lanao del Sur was rescued.

His passenger, Ting, 31, of Escalante City, Negros Occidental, was arrested.

Several master cases and reams of suspected smuggled cigarettes were scattered on the road.

In Barangay Molobolo, the other vehicle crashed into roadside railings.

Police arrested the driver, Jamil, 43, and his passenger, Jamal, 46, both residents of Manticao, Misamis Oriental, after they sustained injuries.

Authorities recovered 29 big boxes containing 1,184 reams of suspected smuggled cigarettes with an estimated value of PHP 2,639,000.

Brig. Gen. Romano Cardiño, PRO-NIR director, said smuggling is not a victimless crime because it deprives the government of lawful revenues, undermines legitimate businesses, and affects the livelihood of law-abiding Filipinos.

He lauded the operating units for another significant accomplishment in the campaign against smuggling.

“This successful operation is proof that when our police officers work as one, criminals have fewer places to hide and fewer opportunities to profit from illegal activities,” Cardiño said in a statement.

The regional office said it seized PHP 195 million worth of illicit cigarettes in Negros Occidental, including Bacolod City, and Negros Oriental from January to June this year.

The suspects and the seized items were placed under police custody for proper disposition.