SULU – As PRO BAR continues to implement custom and tariff administration laws against counterfeit and smuggled goods in the Bangsamoro region, a total of 52 boxes of smuggled cigarettes worth PHP 2,240,000.00 were confiscated and one (1) suspect was arrested in a separate police operation in Jolo and Indanan, Sulu on May 30, 2022.
Reports from Sulu Provincial Police Office disclosed that a separate anti-smuggling operation conducted by joint elements of Indanan Municipal Police Station, 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company, and Sulu Maritime Police Station resulted in the arrest of one suspect for possession of thirty-two (32) boxes of various smuggled cigarettes worth Php 1,600,000.00 within the coastal vicinity of Brgy. Sulu, Kajatian, Indanan.
Meanwhile, personnel of Jolo Municipal Police Station were conducting mobile patrol near a pier site when they noticed an unattended suspected smuggled 20 boxes of ROYAL cigarettes worth Php 640,000.00 ready for transport via vessel. Following a series of query about the legality of the said cigarettes and the owner, no one claimed the items, which prompted the team to confiscate the smuggled cigarettes in zone 3, Brgy. Tulay, Jolo, Sulu.
The arrested suspect will face charges for violation of RA 10863 (An Act Modernizing the Customs and Tariff Administration) and the confiscated smuggled 32 boxes of various cigarettes were brought to Sulu MARPSTA, while the other smuggled 20 boxes of ROYAL cigarettes were brought to Jolo MPS, both for inventory and proper disposition respectively.
PBGEN ARTHUR R CABALONA, Regional Director, PRO BAR, applauds the collaboration and participation of SULU PPO personnel for their successful combat against illegal smuggling of counterfeit and smuggled goods in the region.