PNP: P28.67-M cigarettes seized, 2 nabbed in Puerto Princesa City

MANILA, Philippines — Allegedly smuggled cigarettes worth P28.67 million were confiscated, leading to the arrest of two individuals in Puerto Princesa City, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Wednesday.

The PNP reported the police intercepted the cigarettes aboard a truck at a checkpoint along the National Highway in Barangay Santa Monica on Tuesday afternoon.

“[The two individuals] initially tried to evade the police in a checkpoint, but they were later cornered and forced to surrender,” the PNP explained.

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READ: P13.25-M illegal cigarettes found abandoned in Lanao del Sur

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It did not immediately identify the two suspects arrested.

The PNP said authorities recovered 188 master cases of allegedly smuggled cigarettes.

Investigators conducted an inventory of the purported contraband at the Bureau of Customs office in Puerto Princesa City, according to the PNP.

The two individuals arrested were taken into police custody, awaiting cases for violating Republic Act No. 10863 or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act; RA No. 12022 or the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act; and RA No. 10643 or the Graphic Health Warnings Law.

PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said he ordered a thorough investigation to identify all those involved in the allegedly smuggled cigarettes. /mcm

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