NUEVA ECIJA POLICE PROVINCIAL OFFICE — Illegal cigarettes worth P1.7 million were confiscated, and two male suspects were arrested during an anti-criminality checkpoint in Zaragoza early Tuesday morning (Dec. 10).
According to the report submitted to Col. Ferdinand D. Germino, Provincial Director, NEPPO, at about 3 a.m., a joint checkpoint operation by elements of Zaragoza police and the 2nd Maneuver Platoon, 1st PMFC, NEPPO, was conducted in Barangay Carmen, Zaragoza, Nueva Ecija.
“The checkpoint flagged down a Mitsubishi 12-wheeler truck wing van for a routine check and verification. When the driver opened the back door of the vehicle, police officers exposed boxes of assorted Chinese-brand cigarettes in plain view,” Germino said.
The driver and his helper failed to present any legal documents for the possession and transport of the cigarettes. A total of 147 boxes, with an estimated street value of P1,764,000.00, were seized.
The arrested suspects and the contraband are currently in the custody of Zaragoza PS. A criminal complaint for violation of the Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003 (RA 9211) is being prepared against them.
“Let these individuals go to jail to teach them a lesson that illegal activities will not be tolerated in Nueva Ecija,” Germino stated, in line with the directive of Brig. gen. Redrico A. Maranan, Regional Director of PRO3, to intensify anti-criminality operations in Central Luzon. (UnliNews Online)
