MALITA, Davao Occidental – A total of P208,000 worth of smuggled cigarettes were confiscated by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-Davao Occidental Provincial Field Unit (CIDG-DOCPFU) on October 12.
The move was a result of estimated one-month surveillance against the suspect, who was identified to be responsible for the smuggling activity, which was believed to have been transported on a vessel to bring the contraband to Davao Occidental.
In the information furnished by CIDG-DOCPFU, the buy-bust operation was conducted at Sitio Talucanga Brgy. Mana, Malita, Davao Occidental, where one John Louie (real name withheld), 24, married, a businessman and resident of Brgy. Felis, Malita. Also arrested was John Louie’s helper, Rante (real name withheld), 32, and a resident of Sitio Talucanga in the same municipality.
According to CIDG-DOCPFU, led by Police Lieutenant Julius Espejon, if not because of
the involvement and concern of the community, this illegal activity could have not been stopped. Thus, the CIDG-DOCPFU is calling on all communities to continue being vigilant of their surroundings.
Boxes of smuggled cigarettes were confiscated from the suspects, who claimed that these were just left by somebody else in their care.
“This is a case involving economic sabotage as the government loses a huge amount of taxes and revenues from these products,” CIDG-DOCPFU stated.
The suspects are already facing charges in court. JPC
