CAMP GEN. MARIANO N. LLANERA, Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija — Nueva Ecija Police Provincial Office confiscated more than P218,000 worth of illegal cigarettes during intensified anti-criminality operations conducted across the province on Tuesday (April 21).
A 37-year-old male suspect, a resident of Purok 6, Brgy. San Felipe Matanda, Aliaga, Nueva Ecija, was arrested in a buy-bust operation against counterfeit cigarettes conducted by joint operatives of the Provincial Intelligence Unit (PIU), NEPPO, and Cabanatuan City Police Station in Purok 1, Brgy. San Isidro, Cabanatuan City.
Seized during the operation were 4 boxes containing assorted cigarette brands, including Modern Red, Modern Lights, Modern Black, and FS Filter cigarettes, along with additional reams lacking tax stamps. The total estimated value of the confiscated items reached P118,320.
Meanwhile, at about 4:05 a.m., personnel of Lupao Municipal Police Station conducted an anti-criminality checkpoint in Brgy. Poblacion South, Lupao, Nueva Ecija, where they flagged down a black Suzuki Smash motorcycle with sidecar. Upon inspection, authorities discovered 32 reams of assorted counterfeit cigarettes with an estimated value of P15,000, leading to the arrest of a 32-year-old male vendor from Brgy. Curva, Science City of Muñoz.
In a separate operation, personnel of Licab Municipal Police Station conducting mobile patrol in Brgy. San Juan, Licab, Nueva Ecija, discovered a black Kawasaki tricycle (kolong-kolong) with a suspect nearby. Upon verification, operatives found assorted cigarette reams in plain view, including 11 reams of Modern Red and 9 reams of Titanium Green cigarettes, with an estimated value of P10,600. The suspect was subsequently arrested.
Moreover, at around 9:15 p.m., personnel of Zaragoza Municipal Police Station conducted Oplan Sita along Zaragoza–Panabingan Road in Brgy. Sto. Rosario Old, Zaragoza, Nueva Ecija, where they flagged down a silver metallic Toyota Fortuner for routine inspection. During the inspection, operatives observed a box labeled “Golden Leaf” in plain view. Further verification led to the discovery of 5 boxes of suspected smuggled or counterfeit cigarettes with an estimated value of P75,000. Two male suspects, both residents of Brgy. San Francisco, San Antonio, Nueva Ecija, were arrested.
All arrested individuals are now under the custody of their respective police stations for proper disposition and documentation and will face charges for violation of Republic Act 8424 (Tax Evasion/Illicit Cigarettes).
P/Col. Ritchie R. Claravall, Provincial Director of NEPPO, emphasized, “We will not tolerate the illegal cigarette trade in Nueva Ecija. NEPPO will continue to intensify operations and ensure that those involved are arrested and held accountable.” (UnliNews Online)
