- Navy, police seize P8-M in smuggled cigarettes
AN ANTI-SMUGGLING operation led to the recovery of 431 master cases of cigarettes valued at approximately ₱8.6 million in Purok 19, Cabanes Road, Barangay Ilang, Bunawan District, around 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 3, 2025.
The joint effort also yielded suspected illegal drugs and a firearm, though the primary suspect managed to evade arrest.
The operating team was composed of personnel of Police Station 4 (Sasa), led by PCPT Arnieto R. Ico and under the direct supervision of station commander PMAJ Marcille M. Manzano, and the Naval Intelligence and Security Group-Eastern Mindanao (NISG-EM), led by LCDR Melwin L. Goles, and personnel from the Bunawan Police Station.
The team acted on an intelligence report from NISG-EM regarding abandoned boxes of smuggled cigarettes. Upon arrival, authorities discovered large quantities of illicit tobacco products in front of a warehouse believed to be associated with the suspect.
The identified suspect, 26-year-old Jumar, a resident of Purok 19, Cabanes Road, Barangay Ilang, managed to flee the scene upon sensing the authorities.
However, he left behind a black sling bag containing a .45 caliber Armscor pistol (serial number 1247913) with a magazine loaded with seven pieces of live ammunition.
Authorities also found two rectangular heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets containing white crystalline substance suspected to be shabu, with an estimated standard drug price of ₱5,000.
The confiscated smuggled cigarettes were turned over to the Bureau of Customs-Port of Davao for proper disposition and the filing of appropriate cases.
Meanwhile, the seized firearm and suspected illegal drugs will be subjected to forensic examination at RFU XI.
The Police Station 4-Sasa is currently preparing to file a charge against the fleeing suspect.
