COTABATO CITY, Philippines — Policemen seized P523,000 worth of imported cigarettes in separate anti-smuggling operations in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi and in Jolo, Sulu on Thursday.
Brig. Gen. Prexy Tanggawohn, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region police director, told reporters yesterday that P148,000 worth of Indonesian-made cigarettes were confiscated from retail stores in Bongao town in Tawi-Tawi while the rest were intercepted at a wharf in Jolo, Sulu.
Tanggawohn said he ordered the Bongao Municipal Police Station and the Tawi-Tawi Provincial Police Office to turn over the contraband to the Bureau of Customs (BOC).
He added that the policemen informed the retailers of the need to secure permits from the BOC, Bureau of Internal Revenue and the Department of Trade and Industry before they would be allowed to sell the imported cigarettes.