Authorities seized ₱2.8 million worth of smuggled cigarettes during an operation near Malogo River in Barangay Pasil, EB Magalona, Negros Occidental on Tuesday night.
According to Police Captain Eric Doronila, chief of EB Magalona Municipal Police Station, they received a report about a warehouse in the area suspected of storing illegal cigarettes.
Fishermen in the vicinity had reported seeing several pump boats docking at a hut surrounded by mangroves, raising suspicions of illicit activity.
The operation led to the successful confiscation of 140 boxes of a specific brand of cigarettes hidden at the site.
Currently, police have taken into custody the caretaker identified as alias Marciano, a 67-year-old married resident of Daan Banwa, Barangay 9, Victorias City.
Meanwhile, his companion, alias John Mark, 32, managed to evade arrest during the operation.
Both individuals are residents of Victorias City and are facing charges for violating Section 263 of the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC) of 1997, which penalizes unlawful possession or removal of articles subject to excise tax without payment.