By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. has ordered the swift filing of both criminal and administrative charges against a police officer arrested for allegedly transporting ₱1.285 million worth of suspected smuggled cigarettes in Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur.
The officer, assigned at Camp Crame in Quezon City, has been placed under restrictive custody while administrative proceedings are being initiated. Nartatez also instructed investigators to expedite the case and ensure that appropriate charges are filed once the Bureau of Customs (BOC) completes its assessment of the seized contraband.
“No one in the police organization is above the law,” Nartatez said, stressing that the PNP will conduct a fair and impartial investigation and hold the officer accountable if the evidence supports the allegations.
The suspect was arrested on Sunday during a checkpoint operation conducted by intelligence personnel from the Pagadian City Police Station along the national highway in Barangay Tiguma.
Authorities said they acted on information regarding the alleged transport of smuggled cigarettes. During the inspection, police recovered 251 reams of New Berlin cigarettes with an estimated market value of ₱1.285 million from the vehicle.
The confiscated cigarettes have been turned over to authorities pending further investigation and evaluation by the Bureau of Customs.
In a separate report, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) announced the seizure of ₱50.98 million worth of illegal drugs and the arrest of 86 suspects during 62 anti-drug operations conducted nationwide from July 2 to July 9.
Among those arrested were 55 suspected drug pushers and 10 alleged drug possessors.
PDEA said all suspects will be charged under Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, as the government continues its intensified campaign against illegal drugs and other forms of criminality nationwide.
ia/xf
