The South Cotabato PNP intercepted an attempt to smuggle over half a million pesos worth of tobacco products along Purok Bonifacio, Brgy. Panay, Sto. Niño, South Cotabato, following a heightened checkpoint operation by authorities in the area last Saturday, December 21, 2024.
According to reports, at around 11:40 a.m., personnel from the Regional Special Operations Group (RSOG) 12, 2nd South Cotabato Provincial Mobile Force Company (SCPMFC), South Cotabato Provincial Intelligence Unit (SCPIU), Regional Intelligence Division (RID) 12, and Sto. Niño Municipal Police Station intercepted a van containing 490 reams of San Diego American blend Cigarettes with an estimated value of Php537,000.
The van’s driver, identified as alias “Haron,” 31, single, and a resident of Brgy. New Passi, Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat, failed to present proof or documents for the 10 boxes of cigarettes being transported.
Authorities are currently preparing the case to be filed against the arrested individual.
Despite this, the South Cotabato PNP assured they will further tighten their monitoring in their area of responsibility to prevent any contraband from entering.