Smuggled cigarettes, 2 vans seized in Negros Occidental town

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BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — Authorities seized smuggled cigarettes and two vans worth ₱15.3 million in Cauayan town, Negros Occidental, the Bacolod City Maritime Police Station reported Monday.

The operation was carried out by maritime police operatives led by Capt. Reynaldo Bauden Jr., in coordination with personnel from the Intellectual Property Office in Manila and the Bureau of Customs Region VI. It followed a tip about the presence of illegal cigarettes along the shoreline of Sitio Bagambang in Barangay Tiling, Cauayan.

Two suspects, identified only by the aliases “Jun-Jun” and “Mar,” were arrested after being caught in possession of the contraband. They face charges of violating Republic Act No. 10863, or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.

Seized during the operation were various brands of cigarettes, including Dunston, Fort, Casablanca, and Champion, as well as two panel vans.

The cigarettes were valued at ₱12.8 million, while the vehicles were worth ₱2.5 million, bringing the total estimated value of the confiscated items to ₱15.3 million, the maritime police said./lzb

READ: P2-M smuggled cigarettes seized in Negros Occidental, 3 arrested