P5.41M worth of alleged illegal cigarettes seized in Palawan; 3 arrested

Three suspects were arrested as authorities seized on Friday approximately P5.41 million worth of alleged illegal cigarettes in a coordinated law enforcement operation in Taytay, Palawan, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said Saturday.

The operation was conducted in Sitio Arado 2 and Monte Vista in Barangay Poblacion, the PCG said.

Coast Guard intelligence operatives received information about the alleged illegal cigarettes. Search warrants were thereafter implemented simultaneously in three warehouses.

Authorities also recovered 2,050 reams and 148 master cases of alleged illegal cigarettes, as well as one motorcycle with sidecar, and cash amounting to P104,991.00.

The suspects will face charges for violations of Republic Act No. 10863 or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, and other applicable Philippine laws.

The PCG said the joint operation was conducted by Coast Guard District Palawan through the Maritime Security Law Enforcement Group-Palawan and Coast Guard intelligence operatives, 2nd Special Operations Unit-Philippine National Police Maritime Group, Bureau of Customs Sub-Port Puerto Princesa, Police Target Interdiction, Taytay Municipal Police Station, and 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Company Palawan Police Provincial Office. —KG, GMA News