C Calam –
ba City –Law enforcement authorities from
Agoncillo Municipal
Police Station led by
the Regional Intelligence Division Special
Operations Unit, Intelligence Units of Batangas Police Provincial
Office and the Bureau
of Internal Revenue Region No. 9A-CABAMIRO
(Cavite-Batangas-Oriental Mindoro-Occidental
Mindoro-Romblon) apprehended 3 suspects
involved in cigarette
smuggling during a buybust operation morning
of November 23, 2023
at Brgy Adia, Agoncillo
Batangas.
A box of smuggled cigarettes worth
P32,000 and buy-bust
money amounting to
P200,000.00 were confiscated, underscoring
the success of operation.
Following this initial accomplishment,
authorities launched
a comprehensive follow-up operation also
at Brgy Adia, Agoncillo, Batangas aimed at
dismantling the larger
network responsible
for the influx of smuggled cigarettes into the
Philippine market. It resulted in the arrest of an
additional 30 suspects.
Among the apprehended were 8 Chinese and
22 Philippine residents
highlighting the transnational nature of the
illegal trade.
The follow-up operation uncovered a significant cache of smuggled cigarettes, further
emphasizing the magnitude of the organized
smuggling network.
The combined efforts
of law enforcement authorities in the region
and the BIR led to the
seizure of 4 production
machines, 30 sacks containing pure tobacco
and packing materials
with sufficient commercial quantity, 331 boxes
of cigarettes confiscated at Adia Warehouse
and 341 boxes of cigarettes confiscated at
Pansipit warehouse. All
with estimated cost of
P21,858,200.00 categorized as illegal by the
BIR.
The production
machines and other
equipment, raw materials, vehicle, and other
confiscated items are
estimated to cost P300
million.
“The illegal trade
of smuggled cigarettes
undermines legitimate
businesses, deprives the
government of crucial
tax revenue, and poses a direct threat to the
economic well-being of
our community. By dismantling this network,
we are not just upholding the law; we are safeguarding the economic
interests and prosperity
of our country,” BGen
Paul Kenneth Lucas
said in a statement.
The suspects arrested in both operations
will face charges related to smuggling, illegal
trade, and other offenses in accordance with
Sections 6 (c), 15, 130,
131, 141, 142, 144, 145,
171, 172, 260, 263, 263-
A, 265, 265-B, and 279
of the National Internal
Revenue Code of 1997.
The confiscated contraband will be turned
over to the appropriate
authorities for further
investigation and disposal.
Lucas expresses its
gratitude to the public
for their continued support and cooperation.
“The Police Regional
Office CALABARZON in
cooperation with other
law enforcement agencies remain steadfast
in its mission to uphold
the rule of law and protect the citizens from
the detrimental effects
of illegal activities,” he
said.(ROSELLE AQUINO)