Smuggled cigarettes seized in Sibonga

Local

BOXES of alleged smuggled cigarettes were seized at a checkpoint in Santander town, southern Cebu on Saturday night, Jan 10.

The confiscation took place at 11 p.m. in Barangay Poblacion, Santander where a truck carrying the contraband was intercepted by operatives of the Santander Municipal Police Station, Regional Mobile Force Battalion, Provincial Intelligence Unit, Regional Intelligence Division, and Regional Special Unit.

The operation was conducted in coordination with the Philippine Coast Guard, Bureau of Customs, and Bureau of Internal Revenue.

Prior to the seizure, authorities received a report about a truck carrying smuglled cigarettes.

At the checkpoont, a Foton Tornado closed-van truck that came from Negros Oriental was flagged down. Upon inspection, 200 boxes of Oris cigarettes valued at P20 million were loaded in the truck.

It was later found out that seized cigarettes are not in the list of registered tobacco products that can be legally sold in the country.

The driver and truck helper were taken into cusody. They will face charges for violation of Republic Act 10863 or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act and Section 263 of the National Internal Revenue Code.(CDB)