Downtown, port area raids Cops seize firecrackers

Cebu Coast Guard and port authorities yesterday confiscated 10 boxes of firecrackers worth almost P50,000 that were about to be smuggled into Pier 4, Cebu City.

A patrol team spotted suspicious-looking boxes at 5:30 a.m. The boxes were outside the fence near A.S. Baclig Avenue corner Third Street, saidCebu Coast Guard Commander Rolando Punzalan.

When they failed to locate the owner of the boxes, the team coordinated with Tinago barangay officials and sniffing dogs were sent to the area.

Inside the boxes were 480 reams of piccolo firecrackers pegged at P100 per ream.

Authorities believe the firecrackers were set to be shipped to other provinces in time for the Christmas and New Year celebrations.

The contraband was brought to the Coast Guard office for safekeeping.

Meanwhile, police seized firecrackers displayed in three sidewalk stalls in Colon and Carbon market, Cebu City.

This should be a warning to retailers who operate without a permit and display their wares outside the South Reclamation Area, the only area designated by the Cebu city government for the sale of of pyrotechnics, said officials.

The confiscation was made by the PNP Firearms Explosives Security Guards and Agencies Supervisory Section (Fesaggs).

Chief Supt. Marcelo Garbo of PRO-7 earlier said his office would give the final clearance for firecracker retailers after they secure permits from the city government and are inspected by the Fesagss.