Authorities recovered alleged smuggled cigarettes worth approximately ₱3.025 million during a joint operation in Carmen, Davao del Norte, after suspects abandoned their vehicle and fled, officials said Friday.
The Coast Guard District Southeastern Mindanao (CGDSEM), through Coast Guard Sub-Station (CGSS) Carmen, conducted the operation with the Philippine National Police (PNP) Carmen, the PNP Maritime Group and the Anti-Regional Special Operations Group (ARSOG).
At about 5:30 a.m. on July 30, CGSS Carmen received information from the Coast Guard Intelligence Group Southeastern Mindanao that PNP Carmen personnel had intercepted a vehicle allegedly transporting smuggled cigarettes.
According to authorities, the suspects abandoned the vehicle and fled, leaving the cargo along the riverbank of the Tala River in Purok 5, Barangay Taba, Carmen.
Following the report, Coast Guard personnel coordinated with partner law enforcement agencies and proceeded to the area, where they verified the information and recovered the abandoned cargo and vehicle.
Recovered during the operation were 121 master cases of Bosqu cigarettes allegedly lacking the required Health Graphic Warning, with an estimated value of ₱3,025,000, and a white Mazda Transformer bearing Plate No. KBK 7068.
The recovered items were turned over to PNP Carmen for documentation, inventory, safekeeping and further investigation.
No untoward incident was reported during the operation.
Authorities are continuing their investigation to identify and locate the individuals who abandoned the vehicle and cargo.
The Coast Guard said the operation was part of ongoing interagency efforts to combat the alleged smuggling of goods and enforce customs and public health laws in the region.
