Cops seize P1.4-M in smuggled cigarettes in Cotabato City

Cops seize P1.4-M in smuggled cigarettes in Cotabato City

/ 11:01 PM February 11, 2024

Police authorities, responding to a tip from a concerned citizen, recovered abandoned boxes of smuggled cigarettes awaiting to be transported to unknown areas beside the Rio Grande de Mindanao here on Saturday.

Cotabato City. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

COTABATO CITY – Police authorities, responding to a tip from a concerned citizen, recovered abandoned boxes of smuggled cigarettes awaiting to be transported to unknown areas beside the Rio Grande de Mindanao here on Saturday.

Brig. Gen. Allan Nobleza, police regional director for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), said a total of 74 boxes of smuggled cigarettes believed to be from Malaysia or Indonesia was estimated to cost P1,480,000.

Article continues after this advertisement

Nobleza said a civilian alerted police operatives in the city about the contraband.

FEATURED STORIES

Police immediately sent troops to verify the report and discovered the contraband covered by tarpaulin near the Rio Grande de Mindanao in Purok Nguyan, Barangay Kalanganan 2.

Nobleza said when police inquired with the residents nearby, everyone said they had no idea who owned the items, prompting the police to confiscate them.

Article continues after this advertisement

READ: Meth worth over P18 million seized in 5 days in Cotabato City

Article continues after this advertisement

The 74 boxes of cigarettes are now under the custody of Cotabato City Police Station 3 and are set for turnover to the Bureau of Customs.

Article continues after this advertisement

The recovery of smuggled cigarettes came a few days after four crew of two pumpboats from Zamboanga Sibugay were attacked by pirates near Bongo Island in Parang, Maguindanao.

Two of the crews were rescued by fisherfolks in Datu Blah Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte.

Article continues after this advertisement

They told police they were transporting smuggled cigarettes to Maguindanao when the pirates attacked, ordered them to jump overboard, and then took their seacrafts and the contraband.

Police could not say if the smuggled items seized in Cotabato City were part of the seized contraband.

On February 4, police in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao del Norte confiscated 150 boxes worth P2.7 million worth of smuggled cigarettes following a tip from a concerned citizen.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Three persons–a driver, and two truck helpers–were also arrested during the operation in Barangay Dalumangcob, Sultan Kudarat town, according to municipal station commander Lt. Colonel Esmael Madin.

TAGS: Cotabato, illegal drugs

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

© Copyright 1997-2024 INQUIRER.net | All Rights Reserved

This is an information message

We use cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more here.