By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — Police operations in Pampanga and Bataan have resulted in the seizure of suspected smuggled cigarettes valued at nearly PHP1 billion and the arrest of 14 people, authorities said Wednesday.
The crackdown began in Mabalacat, Pampanga, where police intercepted an Isuzu GIGA wing-opening van carrying 759 master cases of suspected smuggled or illicit cigarettes at about 12:30 a.m. Monday.
Brig. Gen. Jess Mendez, regional director of the Police Regional Office-Central Luzon (PRO-3), said the initial seizure led investigators to a suspected source of the shipment in Mariveles, Bataan.
Intelligence personnel from the Regional Special Operations Group-Regional Intelligence Division 3 subsequently conducted surveillance near a private seaport in the area.
Police monitored several trailer trucks carrying 40-foot container vans. At about 8:30 a.m., the trucks began leaving the area one after another, prompting operating units to position themselves along identified routes in Bataan and Pampanga.
The resulting operation led to the interception of seven trailer trucks in Abucay, two in Limay and one in Orion, all in Bataan. Five additional trucks were stopped in Lubao, Pampanga.
The 15 trucks were found carrying substantial quantities of suspected illicit cigarette products with an estimated combined value of PHP960 million, subject to final inventory and verification by the appropriate authorities.
Including the earlier wing van, police said the seizures involved 15 containers and one van, with 14 people arrested, most of them drivers.
Mendez said investigators are continuing efforts to identify the owners and operators behind the shipments.
He said the seized products would form part of the evidence for the filing of appropriate charges, including possible violations involving anti-agricultural sabotage.
Authorities are also coordinating with concerned government agencies to verify the seized products and determine their proper disposition.
Mendez said the follow-up operation prevented another large volume of suspected illicit cigarettes from reaching the market while investigators work to trace the source and distribution network.
He added that the operation demonstrated the importance of sustained intelligence gathering and coordination among police units.
In a separate operation, police arrested two people in Marinduque and seized approximately PHP3.5 million worth of petroleum products and transport equipment allegedly being used for unauthorized fuel distribution.
The joint operation was conducted Tuesday in Barangay Bachao Ibaba, Gasan, by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) in coordination with the Police Regional Office-4B, or Mimaropa.
Police said the two suspects were allegedly distributing and dispensing fuel from a tanker without the required authority and permit from the Department of Energy.
Authorities recovered about 19,800 liters of petroleum products, including premium gasoline, diesel and unleaded gasoline, with an estimated market value of PHP1.73 million.
A 10-wheeler tank lorry valued at approximately PHP1.80 million, along with other items relevant to the investigation, was also seized.
PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. said the police will continue addressing activities that threaten public safety and legitimate commerce.
The arrested individuals and recovered items were turned over to the CIDG for proper disposition and the filing of appropriate charges.
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