NEARLY P500,000 worth of smuggled cigarettes were confiscated by agents of the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) in an anti-smuggling operation in Pagadian City in Zamboanga del Sur on Sunday, PNP-CIDG Director Brigadier General Ronald O. Lee said Wednesday.

The official said that arrested during the operation in Barangay Bulatok in Pagadian City past 4:00 p.m. Sunday was a male suspect who was caught loading cartons of smuggled cigar products in his wagon.

Lee said that the man failed to present any pertinent documents covering the purchase of eight master cases of Berlin cigarettes, five master cases of New Far cigarettes, 20 master cases of Red Astro cigarettes, 29 reams of white B&R cigarettes, 73 reams of white Astro cigarettes, 17 reams of white B&R cigarettes and 24 reams of Fort cigarettes.

The cigar products were valued at P447,000.

Lee said that the Toyota Avanza belonging to the suspect was impounded during the operation conducted by his men in coordination with the local police and the Bureau of Customs (BOC).

A complaint for violation of Republic Act 8424 or the Tax Reform Act of 1997 was filed against the suspect before the Pagadian City Prosecutor’s Office, said the PNP-CIDG chief.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Alfred P. Dalizon