Two individuals were arrested by the law enforcement authorities on January 8 in Barangay 4, Roxas, northern Palawan, during a joint operation to prevent the unauthorized trading of non-duty-paid cigarettes.
The suspects, whose identities have not been revealed, were seized by personnel from the 2nd Special Operations Unit-Maritime Group (2nd SOU-MG) while selling 432 reams of cigarettes without the necessary government permissions, in violation of Republic Act No. 10643.
The maritime police in Palawan said Thursday in a post that the arrests were made during a buy-bust operation carried out by Task Team “PLUTUS” in coordination with the Roxas Municipal Police Station (MPS), Provincial Intelligence Team (PIT) Palawan, Regional Intelligence Unit (RIU) 4B, and the Philippine Coast Guard’s Intelligence Group (PCG-IG).
The operation involved an undercover operative posing as a buyer, leading to the suspects’ capture.
Authorities explained that the seized cigarettes failed to comply with health and safety regulations mandated by law, which include proper packaging and labeling. In addition to the contraband, a vehicle used in the transportation of the smuggled goods was also confiscated.
The arrests, according to the maritime police, were part of a broader effort to disrupt illegal trade networks and ensure adherence to public health laws.
