ORMOC CITY– A local trader voluntarily surrendered six reams of suspected smuggled cigarettes to police officers manning a border control checkpoint in Barangay Panan-awan, Maasin City, on Sunday morning, June 14.
Police identified the individual only by his alias, “Jimmy,” 26, a resident of Barangay Panan-awan.
According to a report submitted by the 1st Southern Leyte Provincial Mobile Force Company (SLPMFC) to the Police Regional Office 8, officers were conducting anti-criminality checkpoint operations at the border control checkpoint in the village when “Jimmy” approached and turned over an eco-bag containing six reams of Marvel-brand cigarettes.
Authorities estimated the value of the cigarettes at P6,840.
Upon inspection, police found that the cigarette packs did not bear visible tax stamps and lacked the markings required under existing laws and regulations, raising suspicion that the products were smuggled.
The confiscated cigarettes were placed under the custody of the 1st SLPMFC for proper documentation and disposition, while authorities continue to verify their origin and determine any possible violations of customs and tax laws.
(ROBERT DEJON)
