BUTUAN CITY — Police Regional Office 13 (PRO13) seized approximately PhP7,000,000 worth of smuggled cigarettes in an operation conducted early morning of May 7, in Purok 3, Baylanon, Barangay Cahayagan, Carmen, Agusan del Norte.
PBGEN Marcial Mariano P Magistrado IV, Regional Director of PRO13, said the operation was launched following a report received by the Carmen Municipal Police Station (MPS) from a concerned citizen regarding the alleged unloading of suspicious cargo from a pump boat vessel in the area.
Responding operatives discovered an abandoned FUSO container van loaded with assorted smuggled cigarettes, consisting of 90 cartons of Greenhills cigarettes (white), 25 cartons of Cannon cigarettes (white), and 40 cartons of Casablanca cigarettes (red).
Authorities also recovered one white Mitsubishi Canter truck and one white KIA container van believed to have been used in the illegal transport operation.
“I commend our operating troops for their swift action in intercepting smuggled cigarettes worth millions of pesos. Their vigilance and dedication are instrumental in protecting our communities and upholding the law. Let this serve as a stern warning to those engaged in illegal activities — the long arm of the law will catch up with you,” PBGEN Magistrado IV said. (PR with reports of Louie Bustillo/Pahayagan Caraga)
