P1 million smuggled cigarettes seized in Pangasinan

DAGUPAN CITY, Philippines — Smuggled cigarettes worth P1 million were seized in a police operation in this city at dawn yesterday.

Two men, whose identities were not immediately known, were arrested following the operation in Barangay Bonuan Binloc.

Col. Orly Pagaduan, officer-in-charge of the Dagupan City police, said the anti-smuggling operation was carried out by a joint team of the police and the Bureau of Customs (BOC) following information that a white van loaded with smuggled items would enter the city.

The suspects did not resist when police officers arrested them. They allegedly admitted that they were paid to deliver two boxes of cigarettes valued at P56,000 to some people and establishments in the city.

During inspection, police reportedly found another 26 boxes of the contraband in the van.

Pagaduan said the cigarettes would be turned over to the BOC for proper disposition.