Man in Zamboanga del Sur nabbed for P5.78-M smuggled cigarettes

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) arrested a 38-year-old man in Zamboanga del Sur on Wednesday in connection with the suspected P5.78 million worth of smuggled cigarettes.

According to the PNP, the suspect, identified as Romnick Fuentes, was captured at around 1:25 a.m. during its anti-smuggling operation in Dumalinao, Zamboanga del Sur.

Authorities confiscated 101 master cases of branded cigarettes with an estimated market value of P5,787,300. 

Article continues after this advertisement

READ: P3.1M in smuggled cigarettes seized, 3 busted in Negros Oriental

FEATURED STORIES

NEWSINFO

NEWSINFO

NEWSINFO

Fuentes was said to be a resident of Buug, Zamboanga Sibugay. 

He was then placed under police custody at the Dumalinao Municipal Police Station, where the confiscated contraband was also surrendered for documentation and proper disposition.

“Hindi lang natin hinahabol ang mga ilegal na produkto; sinisiguro rin natin na may patas na oportunidad ang mga negosyong sumusunod sa batas,” PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said in a statement.

(“We are not just going after illegal products; we are also ensuring that businesses that comply with the law have a fair opportunity.”) /mr