ZAMBOANGA. Authorities arrested an individual and confiscated approximately P1.8 million worth of smuggled cigarettes during an intelligence-driven law enforcement operation early Thursday, April 23, along the Narciso National Highway in Bugasan Norte village, Matanog, Maguindanao del Norte.
Operation Details
Police Brigadier General Jaysen De Guzman, director of the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR), reported that the suspect is a woman of legal age. She was apprehended in a buy-bust operation conducted early Thursday morning.
“The operation stemmed from verified information regarding an individual involved in the illegal sale and transport of undocumented cigarettes lacking the required graphic health warnings, in violation of Section 6 of Republic Act 10643 and pertinent provisions of Republic Act 10863,” De Guzman said in his report.
Seized Items
Authorities seized 35 master cases of cigarettes valued at P1.8 million, along with two vehicles, boodle money, and one genuine P1,000 marked bill used in the operation. The suspect and the confiscated evidence were brought to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Regional Field Unit Bangsamoro Autonomous Region Office for proper documentation and disposition.
De Guzman commended the operating units and reaffirmed the organization’s intensified campaign against smuggling. He emphasized the commitment to enforcing laws against illegal cigarette trade to protect public health and government revenues.
