6 arrested, over P1 M smuggled cigarettes seized in Davao City
MANILA, Philippines — Police arrested six suspects who yielded over P1 million worth of smuggled cigarettes in a police operation in Davao City, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) said in a report on Tuesday,
The CIDG report stated that its operatives and personnel from the Bunawan Police Station arrested Bensar Abdula Salipsatri, 18; Ronniel Caballes Buenavista, 19; Malixander De Leon Imbin, 24; Al-Zayrin Tayah Samsi, 21; Jayvan Asamuddin Tayah, 38; and Abdulmajid Jumani Araji, 48 along Maharlika Highway, Barangay Ilang last May 6.
During the operation, authorities also rescued two male minors aged 16 and 17. Seized inside the suspects’ vehicle were 70 cases of cigarettes worth around P1,190,000.
According to CIDG, the arrested and rescued individuals were found transporting boxes of cigarettes without proper permits.
The seized items were brought to Bunawan Police Station for documentation and disposition, while the rescued individuals were turned over to the station’s Women and Children Protection Center.
The suspects are currently under police custody and will face a formal complaint for violating Republic Act (RA) 10863 or Customs Modernization and Tariff Act and RA 10643. or an act to effectively instill consciousness through graphic health warnings on tobacco products.
