AUTHORITIES in Davao City intercepted a total of 4,250 reams of illegal cigarettes packed inside 85 boxes at the city’s checkpoint on Sunday, July 17.
In a press statement, Task Force (TF) Davao, in coordination with the Davao City Police Office (DCPO), apprehended Romel B. Penetrante, 43; and Robert B. Penetrante, 25, at the Sirawan Checkpoint in Toril at exactly 2:00 a.m. Both are residents of Barangay Sasa in the city.
TF Davao said the seized illegal contrabands have an estimated street value of P2,125,000.
According to the report, the duo were riding a van heading towards them when accosted by the personnel manning the checkpoint.
Meanwhile, a certain Oliver Rosos Opias, 32, a resident of Barangay Tibungco was also arrested, this time at the Lasang Checkpoint in Bunawan for possessing illegal drugs at 12:45 a.m. of same day.
Intercepted from his possession was a sachet of suspected shabu weighing around 0.09 grams with an estimated street value of P1,440.
Opias was onboard a Public Utility Bus traveling to Davao City.
The suspects and evidence were properly turned over to the respective Police Stations, for proper disposition.
Security personnel also intercepted on July 14, persons who attempted to sneak in shabu and smuggled tobacco.
The personnel of Task Group Lawin and Bunawan Police Station accosted a bus passenger identified as Bonifer Pastrana, 35, at the Lasang Checkpoint around 3:30 a.m. According to the report, Pastrana is a resident in Bago Gallera.
The suspect yielded a sachet of suspected shabu weighing 2.30 grams with an estimated street value of P36,800.
A separate joint checkpoint was also conducted where 25 reams of smuggled cigarettes with an estimated street value of P12,500 were intercepted.
The authorities identified the smugglers as Mark Anthony R. Depra, 24, a resident of Maitum, Sarangani Province.
The suspect was apprehended while onboard a public utility vehicle traveling to the city.
TF Davao Commander Colonel Darren Comia, in a statement, said they will continue to intensify checkpoint operations in all border control points to prevent the entry of all illegal items following the rising numbers of smuggling-related arrests.
“We will continue to intensify checkpoint operations in all border control points to prevent the entry of all illegal items in Davao City that would affect its economy,” Comia said. RGL