A composite team of law enforcers including the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Bureau of Customs (BOC) on Friday nabbed three suspects and seized P5.41 million worth of smuggled cigarettes in barangay Poblacion, Taytay, Palawan.
The operation was staged following intelligence information that at least three warehouses in the area were being used as storage for smuggled tobacco products, resulting in the confiscation of 2050 reams and 148 master cases of cigarettes, along with one motorcycle and P104,000 cash.
Participating units in the joint operation included the Maritime Security Law Enforcement Group-Palawan and Coast Guard intelligence operatives, 2nd Special Operations Unit-Philippine National Police Maritime Group, Bureau of Customs Sub-Port Puerto Princesa, Philippine Tobacco Institute, the Taytay police and the provincial police.
