P26.6-million illegal cigarettes seized in Negros

BACOLOD CITY , Philippines —  Illegal cigarettes valued at P26.6 million were seized in an anti-smuggling operation in Escalante City, Negros Occidental on Tuesday.

Members of the Negros Island Region police special operations group backed by the municipal, maritime  and provincial police confiscated 447 master cases of cigarettes during the raid in Barangay Alimango.

The team arrested a 29-year-old suspect, whose identity was withheld pending results of investigation.

The operation stemmed from information that a shipment of cigarettes with unauthorized tax seals and without graphic health warnings was being stored in a warehouse in the village.

The contraband was turned over to the city police station for inventory and safekeeping.