By Che Palicte | Philippine News Agency
Authorities confiscated smuggled cigarettes valued at P2.5 million in Barangay Alfonso Angliongto Sr., Davao City, the Police Regional Office (PRO) 11 reported on Wednesday.
A joint entrapment operation conducted in a building in the village on Tuesday resulted in the arrest of two suspects for violating Republic Act (RA) 10643, or the Graphic Health Warnings Law, and RA 10845, the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act.
In a statement, PRO-11 said the suspects were apprehended after selling two master cases of Gold City cigarettes to an undercover operative for P26,000 in marked money.
Authorities also recovered 48 more master cases of various cigarette brands during the operation.
PBGEN. Leon Victor Rosete, PRO-11 director, said the ongoing campaign to curb smuggling and other illegal activities is in support of public health and the livelihood of local tobacco farmers.
“This is in line with Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil’s directive to intensify the Philippine National Police’s efforts against counterfeit and smuggled cigarettes nationwide,” Rosete said.
He commended the coordinated efforts of the Regional Special Operations Group 11, the City Special Operations Group, the Davao City Police Office (DCPO), and the Japan Tobacco Industry for the successful operation.
Authorities said the seized items and arrested suspects would undergo further investigation and proper legal proceedings.