Authorities seized ₱11.1 million worth of suspected smuggled cigarettes and arrested five people aboard an unmarked motor launch off Balabac, southern Palawan, on Sunday, July 26.
The Police Regional Office MIMAROPA (PRO MIMAROPA) said the vessel, locally known as a kering-kering, was intercepted about two nautical miles off Sitio Marabon in Barangay Bancalaan.
The operation was conducted by personnel from the Balabac Seaborne Company–Rio Tuba Maritime Law Enforcement Team, the Palawan Provincial Intelligence Team of Regional Intelligence Unit 4B, and the Bataraza Municipal Police Station.
PRO MIMAROPA said the operation was launched after authorities received and verified intelligence information about the shipment.
The five suspects were allegedly transporting cigarettes without permits from concerned government agencies. The products also lacked the graphic health warnings required by law.
Authorities recovered 82 master cases of Fort cigarettes, 81 master cases of New Berlin cigarettes, and two master cases of K3 Menthol cigarettes.
The cigarettes were valued at ₱10,636,800, while the motor launch was estimated to be worth ₱500,000. The seized items had a combined estimated value of ₱11,136,800.
The suspects and the confiscated items were brought to Barangay Rio Tuba in Bataraza.
Authorities are preparing charges for alleged violations of Republic Act No. 10643, or the Graphic Health Warnings Law; Republic Act No. 10863, or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act; and Republic Act No. 12022.
