By Sam Ramos
Authorities seized PHP2.5 million worth of smuggled cigarettes during a joint entrapment operation in Barangay Angliongto, Davao City, on Tuesday.
The operation, coordinated by the Police Regional Office (PRO) 11, led to the arrest of two individuals for violating Republic Act (RA) 10643, the Graphic Health Warnings Law, and RA 10845, the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act. The suspects were caught selling two master cases of Gold City cigarettes to an undercover officer for PHP 26, 000 using marked money.
Authorities also recovered an additional 48 master cases of various cigarette brands during the operation.
Brig. Gen. Leon Victor Rosete, director of PRO-11, emphasized that the ongoing anti-smuggling campaign aims to support public health and safeguard the livelihoods of local tobacco farmers. This operation is in line with the directive from Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil to intensify efforts against counterfeit and smuggled cigarettes across the country.
Rosete lauded the collaborative effort between the Regional Special Operations Group 11, City Special Operations Group, Davao City Police Office, and the Japan Tobacco Industry in executing the successful operation.
The suspects and the seized goods will undergo further investigation and legal proceedings.