4 jailed over smuggled cigarettes
FOUR men were hauled to jail by operatives of the Philippine National Police – Criminal Investigation and Detection Group for possession of nearly P3 million worth of smuggled cigarettes in Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur.
PNP-CIDG director Brig. Gen. Romeo M. Caramat Jr. said that the four were placed under arrest while unloading the smuggled cigar products in Bgy. Balimbingan in Labangan municipality.
He identified the four as Ronilo Japon, 25; Ricky Venturina, 40; Abdulhaver Kangan, 41; and Jallen Mabuting, 22.
Seized were 85 master cases of B &R cigarettes.
Two trucks being operated by the four were impounded by the local CIDG.
Caramat said the arrested suspects will be facing criminal complaints for violation of Republic Act 8424 or the Tax Reform Act of 1997 and RA 10643 otherwise known as the Health Graphic Warning Law.
The official also ordered a thorough investigation into the main source and distributor of the recovered smuggled cigarettes.
