In a significant crackdown on smuggling, law enforcement officials in Davao City seized smuggled cigarettes worth PHP2.5 million in Barangay Angliongto. The operation, executed on Tuesday, led to the apprehension of two individuals accused of breaching the Graphic Health Warnings Law (RA 10643) and the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act (RA 10845). The Police Regional Office 11 (PRO-11) disclosed the details of the operation on Wednesday.
During the sting operation, the suspects sold two master cases of Gold City cigarettes to an undercover agent for PHP26,000 in marked currency. Additionally, authorities discovered and confiscated 48 more master cases containing various cigarette brands.
Brig. Gen. Leon Victor Rosete, the director of PRO-11, emphasized that this operation aligns with the broader initiative to combat smuggling and other illicit activities, thereby protecting public health and supporting local tobacco farmers. He referenced the directive from Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil to intensify the Philippine National Police’s efforts against counterfeit and smuggled cigarettes across the nation.
Rosete praised the collaborative work of the Regional Special Operations Group 11, City Special Operations Group, Davao City Police Office, and the Japan Tobacco Industry, which contributed to the success of the operation. The seized cigarettes and the arrested suspects are set to face further investigation and legal action.