A joint operation conducted by the police led to the arrest of a man known only as “Danilo” for possessing 173 master cases of suspected smuggled cigarettes worth ₱2,508,500.
A report released by P/Maj. Ric Ramos, information officer of the Palawan Police Provincial Office (PPPO), stated that personnel of the Provincial Intelligence Unit (PIU) and Taytay Municipal Police Station (MPS) arrested Danilo on November 3 for the alleged illegal sale and distribution of smuggled cigarettes.
Danilo was apprehended at approximately 5:30 p.m. in Sitio Comalibongbong, Barangay Bato, Taytay, after authorities uncovered a large stash of smuggled cigarettes.
The seized items, the PPPO said violated Republic Act 10643, or the Graphic Health Warnings Law, which requires explicit health warnings on cigarette packaging, as well as Republic Act 10863, the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA), which regulates the legal importation of goods into the country.
Both the confiscated cigarettes and the suspect are now under the custody of the Taytay Municipal Police Station for further investigation and appropriate legal proceedings.
