Cops seize P3.1M in contraband cigarettes in Cotabato town


COTABATO CITY -– A police checkpoint operation on Thursday afternoon, Nov. 5, in Midsayap, Cotabato led to the foiled entry of over P3.1 million worth of smuggled cigarettes in the province.
Colonel Ramel Hojilla, Cotabato police provincial director, said that upon discovery of the goods, the cargo truck driver, identified as alias “Lau,” was unable to provide documents of the merchandise.
READ: BOC seizes P29-M smuggled cigarettes at a subport in Manila
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Police said while it was approaching the checkpoint in Barangay Sadaan, the truck appeared attempting to evade the law enforcers, raising a red flag.
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When it eventually stopped, the law enforcers promptly conducted an inspection that led to the discovery of the haul of contraband cigarettes.
It was not immediately known where the cargo originated, only that the driver of the cargo truck bearing the contraband is from Barangay Tugbungan, Zamboanga City.
The driver is now detained at the Midsayap police station, along with the recovered evidence for documentation and proper disposition.
Police personnel from Midsayap Municipal Police Station and the Regional Highway Patrol Unit 12 Special Operations Team were deployed for the checkpoint operation. /jpv
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