Authorities seized a shipment of suspected smuggled cigarettes and arrested two individuals during a joint operation by law enforcement agencies in Barangay San Joaquin, Palo, Leyte.
The operation was carried out by personnel from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Region 8 (PDEA-8), Police Regional Office 8 (PRO-8), the Palo Municipal Police Station, and the Leyte Police Provincial Office.
The team was conducting a land interdiction operation when they stopped a Toyota Hi-Ace van along a provincial road.
Upon inspection, officers discovered several boxes of cigarettes concealed inside the vehicle.
The items were identified as San Marino King Size cigarettes, a brand often associated with smuggling cases due to the absence of proper tax markings and documentation.
Each box reportedly contained 50 reams, with an estimated value of Php400 to Php500 per ream.
Initial inspection included the use of a K9 unit, which alerted authorities to possible contraband.
A field test conducted by a PDEA chemist later confirmed that the cigarettes were not laced with illegal drugs. However, authorities noted that the shipment may still be in violation of customs and tax laws.
Two individuals were arrested during the operation.
They were identified only by their aliases, “Tino,” 54, and “Vita,” 43, both residents of Barangay Tubod, Iligan City.
The suspects failed to present documents proving that the cigarettes were legally imported or purchased.
The seized cigarettes, along with the vehicle used in transporting them, were turned over to the Bureau of Customs for proper disposition and further investigation.
Authorities said coordination with the Bureau of Customs is ongoing to determine the appropriate charges and assess possible violations of the Tariff and Customs Code and other related laws.
Police officials said the case highlights the continued presence of smuggled goods passing through provincial routes in Eastern Visayas. Smuggled cigarettes, authorities noted, affect government revenue collection and pose unfair competition to legitimate businesses.
The suspects remain under investigation as authorities work to trace the source and intended destination of the illegal shipment.
Further charges may be filed depending on the outcome of the Bureau of Customs’ evaluation.
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