‘OPLAN SITA’ RESULTS IN CONFISCATION OF P915-K SMUGGLED CIGARETTES IN BULACAN

BY KEVIN GALANG

SAN RAFAEL, Bulacan – Operatives’ “Oplan Sita” drive on Wednesday arrested a 48-year-old man and confiscated P915,000 worth of alleged smuggled and counterfeit cigarettes in Bgy. Pinac-pinacan, this municipality.

A report to Police Regional Office 3 (PRO3) director Brig. Gen. Jess Mendez by San Rafael police chief Lt. Col. Protom E. Guevarra identified the suspect as alias “Dangan,” a resident of Valenzuela City.

Officers flagged down a white Toyota Hi Ace van for routine verification and during inspection, they observed several boxes of cigarettes inside the vehicle after the driver voluntarily opened its door.

Further verification revealed that the items were allegedly counterfeit or smuggled and lacked the necessary permits and documentation, prompting the immediate arrest of the suspect.

Seized were 61 boxes of assorted cigarettes valued at P915,000, along with the vehicle bearing plate number NDV 3958.

Cases for violations of Section 1401 of Republic Act 10863 or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act; Republic Act 10643 also known as the Graphic Health Warnings Law; Republic Act 7394 or the Consumer Act of the Philippines; and provisions under the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997 were filed against the arrested suspect.