CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – Fifteen trailer trucks loaded with P960-million worth of suspected smuggled or illicit cigarettes were intercepted by the Police Regional Office 3 in Bataan and Pampanga on Sept. 7.
The operation was a follow-up to the earlier interception of an Isuzu wing van loaded with 759 master cases of suspected smuggled cigarettes worth P48.9 million along MacArthur Highway, Barangay Cacutud, Mabalacat City, at about 12:30 a.m. on the same day, PRO-3 said.
Subsequent police investigation indicated that the shipment may have originated from a private seaport in Mariveles, Bataan, prompting intelligence operatives of the Regional Special Operations Group–Regional Intelligence Division 3 to proceed to the area and conduct surveillance.
During the surveillance, several trailer trucks carrying 40-foot container vans were monitored and at about 8:30 p.m. were observed leaving one after another, prompting operating units to position along identified routes in Bataan and Pampanga.
Police intercepted seven trailer trucks in Abucay, two in Limay, and one in Orion, all in Bataan, while five other trucks were intercepted in Lubao, Pampanga. The vehicles were found carrying substantial quantities of suspected smuggled or illicit cigarette products with an estimated aggregate value of P960 million, subject to final inventory and verification by the appropriate authorities, said PRO-3.
Led by RSOG-RID3, the operations was undertaken with with personnel from RDEU3, RMFB3, Bataan PIU, Bataan PMFC, Abucay MPS, Limay MPS, Orion MPS, Bataan PPO, Lubao MPS, Pampanga PPO, and CIDG RFU 3.
“The earlier interception in Mabalacat City provided our personnel with information that we immediately pursued. This follow-up operation prevented another substantial volume of suspected illicit cigarettes from reaching the market. More importantly, we are pursuing the source and the people behind their movement and distribution because illegal trade affects government revenues, legitimate businesses, and ultimately our communities,” enthused PRO-3 director BGen. Jess B. Mendez. Punto News Team/PRO-3
