CL COPS ARREST 19, SEIZE P100-M ILLICIT CIGARETTES IN BULACAN

BY KEVIN GALANG

JOINT operatives on Tuesday arrested 19 persons and confiscated an estimated P100 million worth of illicit cigarettes in a major anti-smuggling operation in Baliwag City, Bulacan.

The operation spearheaded by Police Regional Office 3 (PRO3) director Brig. Gen. Jess Mendez followed a weeklong series of intensified anti-smuggling efforts across Central Luzon, underscoring the agency’s continued campaign against illegal trade.

Operatives from the Regional Special Operations Group 3 (RSOG3) led by Lt. Col. Lory Tarrazona, in coordination with the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Bulacan Provincial Field Unit and the Baliwag City police, acted on intelligence information about the transfer of illegal cigarettes along DRT Highway in Bgy. Tarcan.

The 19 suspects were arrested while unloading boxes of cigarettes from container vans into smaller delivery trucks.

Confiscated were more than 2,000 boxes of cigarettes bearing the MODERN and RGD brands, all lacking the required Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) tax stamps — an indication of non-payment of excise taxes.

The suspects are facing charges for violations of Republic Act 8424 or the National Internal Revenue Code, Republic Act 10643, and Republic Act 12022, also known as the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act.

Meanwhile, six vehicles believed to be used in the distribution of the illegal products were also confiscated while authorities continue to conduct a full inventory of the seized items.

“After a week of focused operations, this is another significant accomplishment. Ibig sabihin, tuluy-tuloy ang ating kampanya—hindi lang sunod-sunod, kundi mas pinapalawak pa natin ang ating aksyon laban sa illicit trade,” Mendez said.

He added that PRO3 remains relentless in going after all levels of illegal trade networks operating in the region.

Mendez said the crackdown is in line with the directive of Interior and Local Government Secretary Juanito Victor C. Remulla and Philippine National Police chief Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. to intensify operations against economic sabotage through a whole-of-government approach.

All arrested suspects and  the confiscated evidence are now under the custody of RSOG3 for documentation and proper disposition.