BACOLOD CITY — The Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region seized an estimated PHP 25 million worth of illicit tobacco products in Barangay To-oy, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental recently.
The operation stemmed from intelligence reports about the alleged unloading of cigarette boxes from a 10-wheeler wing van.
Acting on the tip, operatives conducted a validation operation and arrested a suspect identified only as alias “Geo,” 43, a resident of Barangay Masulog, Canlaon City, Negros Oriental.
Authorities seized around 500 master cases of cigarettes found to have unauthorized tax seals and lacking required graphic health warning labels, indicating violations of existing regulations.
Police Brig. Gen. Arnold Thomas Ibay, PRO-NIR director, praised the operating teams for their swift and coordinated response, emphasizing the importance of protecting government revenue and public welfare.
The operation marked the second major tobacco seizure in the region in recent days. On April 6, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group also confiscated PHP 2 million worth of suspected smuggled cigarettes and arrested a man in Barangay Old Namangka, Mabinay, Negros Oriental.
The PRO-NIR reiterated its firm stance against illegal trade, warning that intensified operations will continue across the region.
“All forms of illegal trade will be met with swift, decisive, and unyielding law enforcement action,” the regional office stated. (Glazyl M. Jopson via tdg photo by tdg)