Authorities seized alleged smuggled cigarettes worth more than P78 million in separate land and maritime operations in Davao Oriental and the Davao Gulf.

According to the Police Regional Office-Davao (PRO-11), personnel of the Governor Generoso Municipal Police Station launched an operation after receiving a tip from a barangay official that alleged smuggled cigarettes were being loaded onto a wing van truck Barangay Pundaguitan.

Later, military troops and police and Coast Guard personnel intercepted the truck.

Confiscated from the vehicle were up to 1,006 master cases of assorted cigarettes worth more than P25 million.

Meanwhile, authorities intercepted a vessel loaded with alleged smuggled cigarettes approximately 8.56 nautical miles northwest off Poblacion, Governor Generoso in less than 24 hours.

Personnel of the Regional Maritime Unit-Davao (RMU-11) conducted a visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) operation after the vessel reportedly failed to respond to repeated communication attempts.

During inspection, authorities found around 1,246 master cases of undocumented cigarettes worth more than P53.3 million.

The vessel reportedly came from Jolo, Sulu and was manned by seven crew members.

The crew members were arrested and are now facing charges for violations of customs, tax, and tobacco laws.

“These back-to-back accomplishments affirm PRO 11’s unwavering commitment to the Chief PNP’s Focused Agenda. We will continue to intensify intelligence-driven operations, strengthen partnerships, and sustain aggressive actions against smuggling and all forms of economic sabotage,” PRO-11 Director, Brigadier General Leon Victor Rosete, said.