NEGROS COPS’ 1-DAY OPERATION NETS P55.8-M ILLICIT CIGARETTES

PHOTO CAPTION

Regional Intelligence Division – Police Regional Office – Negros Island Region chief Col. Jay Dimaandal leads the inspection of the confiscated illicit cigarettes in Negros Occidental.            Photo courtesy of RID-PRO-NIR

OPERATIVES led by the Regional Intelligence Division – Police Regional Office – Negros Island Region (RID-PRO-NIR) seized some P55.8 million worth of illicit cigarettes and arrested a truck driver and a laborer during a day-long operation in Negros Occidental.

Based on a report submitted to Police Regional Office Negros Island Region director Brig. Gen. Arnold Thomas Ibay, arrested at 5:20 a.m. on Monday in Bgy. To-oy, Himamaylan, Negros Occidental was alias “Mongcal,”  a 43-year-old truck driver of Bgy. Masulog, Canlaon City.

Confiscated from the suspect were some P52.5 million worth of illicit cigarettes.

Personnel of the RID-PRO-NIR under the direct supervision of Col. Jay Dimaandal as the lead unit, together with the Provincial Intelligence Unit of the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office and the Himamaylan City Police Station, in coordination with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), responded to an intelligence report regarding the unloading of cigarette boxes involving a 10 wheeler wing van suspected to contain illicit cigarettes.

Upon verification, the operation resulted in the confiscation of around 500 master cases of cigarettes (Tabaco American blend brand, color red/white) bearing unauthorized tax seals and without graphic health warning labels, in violation of Republic Act 10863.

The estimated value of the confiscated cigarettes is P52,500,000.

The seized items were brought to RID Regional Office, PRO-NIR for custody and safekeeping while the arrested person was taken to the Himamaylan CPS for proper documentation and filing of charges.

Another operation at Sitio Mapait, in Bgy, Suay, Himamaylan City,  Negros Occidental around 4:48 p.m. of the same day resulted in the arrest of  alias “Joemar,” 32, a laborer and a resident of Bgy. Suay.

The suspect was caught in possession of cigarettes without  BIR tax stamps. The cigarettes were found on a white Toyota hi-ace van.

Seized were 53 master cases  of TABACO American blend containing 50 reams each; nine master case of CANNON 100’s Special American Blend containing 50 reams each; four master cases of CONRAD Menthol containing 50 reams each collectively marked as JAA-3; 45 reams of  TABACO American Blend cigarettes ; and one unit Toyota hi-ace van with defaced conduction sticker.

Dimaandal said the estimated market value of the llicit cigarettes confiscated in Himamaylan City is worth P3,345,000.

Alias “Jomar” was turned over to the CIDG RFU NIR for booking and temporary detention while the confiscated pieces of evidence were brought to  BIR Bacolod City Office pending the filing of appropriate charges in court.

Ibay said the PRO-NIR remains relentless in going after illegal trade networks operating in the region.

He added that the crackdown is in line with the directive of Interior and Local Government Secretary Juanito Victor C. Remulla and Philippine National Police chief Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. to curb illegal trade activities that impact both the economy and public safety.