P48.9M ‘smuggled’ cigarettes seized in Pampanga, 4 men arrested

MABALACAT CITY — The police arrested four men for transporting some an estimated P48,955,500 worth of suspected smuggled cigarettes in Barangay Cacutud here shortly after midnight on Monday.

In a statement, the Police Regional Office 3 (PRO3) said the operation which resulted in the arrest was carried out after several days of surveillance operations.

Authorities had received information that a truck was being used to transport and store cases of suspected illicit cigarettes at a secluded location in the city.

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At around 12:30 a.m., operatives from the Regional Special Operations Group-Regional Intelligence Division 3, Mabalacat City Police Station, and Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Regional Field Unit 3 successfully intercepted the target truck and arrested its driver and three companions.

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“A search of the truck led to the discovery of 759 master cases of ‘Modern’ cigarettes — 329 master cases of red packs and 430 master cases of blue packs. The products were observed to have no Bureau of Internal Revenue tax stamps and remain subject to further examination and verification,” the PRO3 said.

PRO3 Director Brig. Gen. Jess Mendez said the impact of the operation went beyond the amount of contraband seized, noting that illicit trade deprives the government of potential revenues that could support public services, puts legitimate businesses at a disadvantage, and allows illegal trade networks to profit at the expense of lawful commerce.

“Keeping these products off the market helps protect consumers, businesses, and the local economy,” he added.

The PRO3 said the recovered items were inventoried in the presence of the arrested individuals and a barangay official.

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Alternative recording devices were also used during the operation in accordance with existing procedures.

The four arrested individuals and the recovered evidence were brought to the police regional camp for documentation and proper disposition.

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According to PRO3, it was coordinating with the appropriate government agencies to determine the applicable violations to be filed against the arrested persons and to conduct further examination and verification of the recovered cigarette products. /gsg