P97-M worth of smuggled cigarettes dug up in Maguindanao del Norte – PNP

Over P97 million worth of smuggled cigarettes were dug up at a private lot last week in Parang, Maguindanao del Norte during a joint operation of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Bureau of Customs (BOC).

In a statement on Sunday, the PNP said the contraband was recovered after the PNP and BOC served a letter of authority (LOA).

The operation was carried out on 6 a.m. of January 6 in Barangay Gumagadong-Calawag.

Authorities were acting on validated intelligence reports that a warehouse in the area was allegedly being used to store and distribute smuggled cigarettes, a violation of Republic Act 10863 or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act and RA 12022 or the Anti-Agricultural and Economic Sabotage Act.

Law enforcers noted that the premises initially appeared to be empty, but they observed parts of the soil that were unusually soft and showed signs of recent disturbance.

“Upon further inspection, buried cases of cigarettes and tobacco products were discovered beneath the surface, confirming deliberate concealment of contraband,” the PNP said.

Excavation operations continued until 5:15 p.m. of January 7, which led to the recovery of 2,483 master cases of smuggled cigarettes with an estimated market value of P97,457,750.

The recovered smuggled cigarettes were loaded onto seven transport vehicles and brought to the BOC – Davao District Office in Panabo City for proper disposition and reevaluation.

PNP acting chief Police Lieutenant General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. commended the operation as the “result of solid intelligence work and close coordination” with the BOC.

“Hindi natin hahayaang sirain ng smuggling ang ating ekonomiya at kabuhayan. Kung may ilegal na itinatago, sisiguraduhin ng PNP na ito ay matutuklasan at mapanagot sa ilalim ng batas,” he said.

(We will not allow smuggling to destroy our economy and livelihood. The PNP will surely discover any illegal activities being concealed and hold people accountable before the law.)

“Mas pinaigting natin ang planning, coordination, at execution sa ating mga operasyon. This is how we ensure that police work remains effective, accountable, and felt by the public,” Nartatez added.

(We beefed up our planning, coordination, and execution of operations. This is how we ensure that police work remains effective, accountable, and felt by the public.)

BOC personnel were present and actively took part in the excavation, hauling, and initial inventory of the smuggled cigarettes. The excavated area was restored to its original condition and later turned over to the barangay.

The PNP and the BOC are now conducting comprehensive case build-up and preparing inventory reports, sworn statements, and documents to support the filing of criminal charges. — JMA, GMA Integrated News