2 NABBED, P1.7-M SMUGGLED CIGARETTES SEIZED IN NUEVA ECIJA

BY KEVIN GALANG

POLICE on Tuesday  arrested two men and seized over P1.7 million worth of smuggled cigarettes at a checkpoint in Bgy. Carmen, Zaragoza, Nueva Ecija.

In a report to Police Regional Office 3 director Brig. Gen. Redrico Maranan, the Nueva Ecija police identified the arrested as truck driver  Alibert Jordan, 40;  and helper Ramon Hablado Jr.;  both residents of Cabas-an San Andres, San Rafael, Iloilo.

Investigation showed that the  2nd Maneuver Platoon 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company Nueva Ecija Police Provincial Office was informed that a truck carrying illegal cigarettes would be passing through Zaragoza town.

A coordination was made with the  Zaragoza police and a joint checkpoint operation was  conducted by the authorities.

At a  checkpoint on Sta. Rosa-Zaragoza Road in Bgy. Carmen, Zaragoza, a truck with plate number NHA 5179 was flagged down for a routine check-up.

Upon inspection, the driver opened the back door, revealing in plain view 147 boxes of assorted Chinese cigarettes valued at P1,764,000.

The suspects failed to present proper documentation for the cigarettes, prompting the confiscation of the items and the arrest of the two suspects.

Cases for violation of Republic Act 9211 or the Anti-Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003 were filed against the arrested truck driver and his helper.