BACOLOD City — Operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG)–Negros Occidental Provincial Field Unit intercepted an estimated P8.8 million worth of illicit cigarettes and arrested three men during a pre-dawn entrapment operation in Barangay 3, Isabela, Negros Occidental, on September 25.
Authorities identified the arrested suspects as aliases “Rey,” 32, a driver from Zamboanga del Norte; “Virgil,” 32, a laborer also from Zamboanga del Norte; and “Gery,” 46, a driver from Valenzuela City.
The operation was conducted between 2:15 a.m. and 5 a.m., led by Police Major Christopher C. Dulagan, officer-in-charge of the CIDG-Negros Occidental Field Unit, with support from partner law enforcement agencies.
Authorities executed the sting after the suspects allegedly sold two master case each of Modern Red and New Berlin Red to a police operative posing as a buyer.
A search of the suspects’ wing van truck yielded an additional 155 master cases of New Berlin Red cigarettes and 19 master cases of Modern Red cigarettes. Operatives also recovered the genuine P500 bill used as buy-bust money, P29,500 in boodle money, and the transport vehicle.
According to the CIDG, the seized cigarette products lacked the mandatory graphic health warnings prescribed under Republic Act 10643 (Graphic Health Warnings Law). The suspects also failed to present legal documentation authorizing the possession, distribution, or sale of the items.
During the search, authorities also discovered 150 sacks of red onions loaded in the rear of the wing van. The goods were confiscated pending verification of their origin, ownership, and compliance with Department of Agriculture–Bureau of Plant Industry regulations.
The three suspects and the confiscated evidence were initially brought to the Isabela Municipal Police Station for booking and documentation before being transferred to the CIDG Negros Occidental office for proper disposition and the filing of charges./PN
