- 3 nabbed as smuggled cigarettes seized at checkpoint
AUTHORITIES intercepted a wing van carrying approximately P10 million worth of smuggled cigarettes during a joint checkpoint in Barangay Panacan, Bunawan District, at approximately 1:20 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 8.
The operation, conducted at Purok 27, Malagamot, led to the arrest of three individuals and the seizure of 200 master cases of illicit tobacco products.
Composite teams from the Regional Special Operations Group, led by Lt Richard Dionisio under the supervision of Lt Col Maynard D. Pascual, the Bureau of Customs–Port of Davao (led by Special Agent Amil Basman), and the local police flagged down an Isuzu wing van with plate number CBP 1560.
According to official reports, the driver, identified only as Ryan, 42, a resident of Bangkal, admitted to the authorities during the initial inspection that the vehicle was transporting smuggled goods.
Upon opening the van, officers discovered the massive haul of cigarettes (Modern brand), totaling roughly two million sticks.
Also apprehended at the scene were Romeo, 25, a helper/driver from Agusan del Sur, and Jiacheng, 31, a warehouse manager residing in Buhangin, Davao City.
The suspects are currently in police custody, facing cases before the Office of the City Prosecutor for violations of: RA 10863 (The Customs Modernization and Tariff Act); RA 10643 (The Graphic Health Warning Law); RA 12022 (The Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act), which now includes tobacco under its expanded definitions to curb large-scale smuggling.
The seized wing van and the 200 master cases of cigarettes have been turned over to the Bureau of Customs for proper disposition.
