P5.2M smuggled cigs seized in Soccsksargen
Police seized P5.2 million worth of smuggled cigarettes in separate operations across the Soccsksargen Region over two days.
On Monday, Dec. 10, police confiscated P2.3 million worth of 'New Berlin' brand cigarettes from two minivans traveling through Sultan Kudarat at a checkpoint where drivers failed to present legal documents and were arrested.
A day earlier in Sarangani, concerned citizens tipped off authorities about smuggled cigarettes left along the roadside in Barangay Kamanga; police recovered 2,741 reams of contraband cigarettes but suspects had already fled the scene.
Brig. Gen. Arnold Ardiente, police regional director for Soccsksargen, directed intensified campaigns against smuggling activities and illegal alien entries.
Authorities are investigating both incidents to determine the full extent of the smuggling operations.
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