Police seize P4.7-M smuggled cigarettes in Cotabato
Contraband cigarettes are properly piled inside the Mitsubishi cargo truck concealed with sacks of palay husks. (Photo from PRO-12)
COTABATO CITY – The police foiled an attempt to smuggle P4.7 million worth of cigarettes on Monday in Barangay Sadaan in Midsayap, Cotabato.
The cigarettes were reportedly smuggled from Indonesia.
Brig. Gen. Arnold Ardiente, Soccskssargen police director, identified the suspect as “alias Ron,” 41, who was driving a black wing van (plate number CBB-7736) and a resident of Kalingangan, Bukidnon.
READ: 2 arrested, P2.3M smuggled cigarettes seized in North Cotabato
Operatives of the Regional Intelligence Division (RID-12), acting on an intelligence information, conducted the anti-smuggling operation at 7:30 a.m. on Monday.
They held and then searched the truck, finding it loaded with 120 cases of Walton cigarettes believed to be from Indonesia.
Each case contained 50 reams.
The cigarettes were covered with sacks of palay husks.
The driver appeared to be restless during the inspection and later admitted he was transporting contraband cigarettes that, in all, were said to be worth P4,714,800.
Ardiente said the contraband has been turned over to the Bureau of Customs for safekeeping.
The suspect is now detained at Midsayap municipal police station while awaiting filing of charges./mr
