Authorities seize P2.2M in contraband cigarettes in Sultan Kudarat town

COTABATO CITY, Philippines — Police authorities in Sultan Kudarat province seized a haul of suspected smuggled cigarettes during a joint seaborne patrol at around 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 27, in the waters off  Kalamansig town.

The team of police and Coast Guard personnel conducted the patrol to verify information regarding an abandoned unregistered motorized banca allegedly carrying smuggled cigarettes.

Security forces found several boxes of suspected smuggled cigarettes in plain view aboard the banca.

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READ: BOC vows crackdown on smuggling after Zambales cigarette haul

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The water vessel carried 2,674 reams of Cannon Menthol and Victor Agila cigarettes but its owners or carriers remain at large. 

The haul is estimated to be valued at over P2.2 million.

READ: PTI urges action vs. illegal cigarettes in Mindanao

Brig. Gen. Alan Manibog, Police Regional office (PRO-12) director, said investigators found that the unmarked and unregistered motorized banca had reportedly been unattended for two days, with no individual claiming ownership.

“We will continue to coordinate with other law enforcement units in our area of operation to thwart attempts to cheat the government of taxes by smuggling imported products into the country,” Manibog said in a  statement following the successful police law enforcement operation. /cb