5 nabbed with P603,942 in smuggled cigarettes in Batangas City
LUCENA CITY — Police arrested five suspected tobacco smugglers in a buy-bust operation in Batangas City on Thursday night, and seized more than P600,000 worth of illicit and smuggled cigarettes.
In a report on Friday, the Calabarzon regional police office said operatives from the Batangas police arrested the suspects—identified only by their aliases as “Gelo,” 35; “Enzo,” 30; “Aniel,” 44; “Ter,” 39; and “Nita,” 40 — after they allegedly sold P60,000 worth of smuggled cigarettes to an undercover officer in Barangay Banaba Center at 10:45 p.m.
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Authorities confiscated several master cases of assorted brands of smuggled cigarettes valued at P603,942, based on the Bureau of Customs valuation.
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They also seized a Toyota Hi-Ace Commuter van and a Toyota Avanza E 1.3 MT allegedly used in the suspects’ operation.
Police said further investigation is underway to determine the extent of the suspects’ involvement in the illegal cigarette trade and identify possible accomplices.
The five suspects remain in police custody and are facing appropriate criminal charges. /coa
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