P5.2-M smuggled cigarettes seized in Sarangani, Sultan Kudarat

SEIZED. Police officers confiscate smuggled imported cigarettes valued at P2.3 million carried aboard two vans at a checkpoint in Lambayong, Sultan Kudarat on Monday, Dec. 9. —Photo courtesy of the Lambayong Police

TACURONG CITY, SOCCSKSARGEN, Philippines – Police seized P5.2 million worth of smuggled cigarettes in separate law enforcement operations in the Soccsksargen Region (South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and Gen. Santos City) in the past two days.

The latest successful campaign occurred at a checkpoint in Barangay Tinumigues, Lambayong, Sultan Kudarat, where some P2.3 million worth of smuggled cigarettes were seized from the suspects on Monday, Dec. 10, according to Captain Jayson Cepeda, chief of Lambayong Municipal Police Station (MPS).

Cepeda said 100 boxes or 3,000 reams of smuggled “New Berlin” brand of cigarettes were found inside two minivans traveling from Tacurong City on their way to Sultan sa Barongis in Maguindanao del Sur, passing through Lambayong town.

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Police seized the items after the drivers failed to present legal documents. The drivers were arrested for transporting the contrabands, Cepeda said.

A day earlier, police recovered boxes containing 2,741 reams of cigarettes left along the roadside of Barangay Kamanga in the coastal town of Maasim, Sarangani shortly after they were unloaded from motorized pump boats.

Police were tipped off by concerned citizens but suspects evaded arrest by leaving behind the contrabands.

Police Brig. Gen. Arnold Ardiente, police regional director in the Soccsksargen region, earlier issued a directive to intensify campaigns against entries of illegal aliens and smuggling activities.

“The police in the Soccsksargen will ensure that smugglers do not use the region as a transit point for their illegal activities,” said Ardiente.