By Benjamin Cuaresma
CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro — A sustained police crackdown on cigarette smuggling in Mimaropa has resulted in the arrest of 47 people and the seizure of tobacco products and other items estimated at P37.16 million during the first nine months of the year.
Police operations in Palawan and Puerto Princesa City accounted for the seizures from Jan. 1 through Sept. 30, according to accomplishment reports from the Palawan Police Provincial Office (PPO) and the Puerto Princesa City Police Office (PPCPO).
Authorities conducted a combined 31 operations during the period.
The Palawan PPO reported 15 operations that led to 18 arrests and the confiscation of goods valued at approximately P6.53 million.
Puerto Princesa police recorded 16 operations, with 29 people arrested and seizures estimated at P30.62 million.
The largest haul came on June 9, when the PPCPO intercepted 188 master cases of cigarettes with an estimated value of P28.68 million.
The confiscated cigarette products were subsequently turned over to the Bureau of Customs, which took custody of the items for appropriate disposition in connection with alleged violations of Republic Act No. 10863, or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.
Mimaropa police director Brig. Gen. Christopher R. Dela Cruz said authorities need stronger intelligence operations and closer coordination among government agencies to trace the movement of illicit cigarette shipments.
“We have to know where these cigarettes are coming from, who is bringing them in, and where they are being distributed,” Dela Cruz said.
He added that efforts to curb cigarette smuggling would also support legitimate businesses operating in compliance with government regulations.
ia/xf
