Police officers in Barangay Fatima, General Santos City, arrested three individuals in a test-buy operation for selling imported cigarettes without legal documents.
The operation took place around 12:18 p.m. on Monday, October 14, following reports of rampant illegal cigarette sales in the area.
Authorities identified the first suspect as Mitchel Batiancila Dumanig, 43, a married resident of Lot 18, Purok Bayanihan Extension, Fatima.
Police confiscated 14 packs of Gajah Baru and six packs of Cannon cigarettes from his possession during the operation.
The second suspect, Drexyl Maglinte Lozada, 25, single, and son of a store owner in Purok 19, Bayanihan, also fell into police custody.
Officers seized three packs of Gajah Baru and three packs of King Perfect cigarettes from him.
Police then arrested Lou Jenine Abueva, 35, who lives with a partner and owns a store in Purok 19, Bayanihan.
She yielded six packs of King Perfect cigarettes, which were part of the total confiscated 32 packs.
Investigators said the seized items had an estimated value of ₱2,514.56 and lacked the proper importation documents required by law.
The suspects are now facing charges for violating Republic Act 10863, or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, which penalizes the sale and possession of smuggled goods.
Authorities warned other vendors against selling unregistered tobacco products, emphasizing that operations will continue to curb smuggling and protect legitimate businesses in General Santos City.
