PNP probes smugglers’ links in two provinces
Acting PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said investigators are looking at the possibility that a single group was behind the two smuggling operations, worth some P2.6 billion, in Malabon City and Batangas City.
The Highway Patrol Group (HPG) found the allegedly smuggled cigarettes in separate operations at a container yard in Malabon City on New Year’s Eve, and an unattended lot in Batangas City, on New Year’s Day.
“We are now looking into the possible link between the undocumented tobacco products we seized in Batangas and those in Malabon,” Nartatez said in a statement on Friday.
“Intelligence works and coordination with concerned government agencies are ongoing to determine if we are dealing with the same group or people and the same modus,” he added.
The HPG stumbled on the contraband in Malabon, when lawmen flagged two motorcycle riders for not wearing helmets. One of the riders was captured and led lawmen to cargo vans containing P1.5 billion “smuggled” cigarettes.
The following day, the HPG found P1.1 billion in cigarettes in Batangas City on Wednesday morning, the PNP HPG said.
Police found the trucks after a car owner reported his sedan stolen. Authorities traced the vehicle through its global positioning system to a lot in Sitio Singko, Barangay Balete, the HPG noted in a statement.
“The operating team conducted an assessment of the surrounding area. During this process, several vehicles were observed parked in an unattended condition, including trailer trucks and a container van,” the HPG explained.
Investigation still ongoing
The PNP said its investigation into the cigarettes was still ongoing, particularly efforts to identify its owners.
In a video interview by a vlogger on site, Brig. Gen. Hansel Marantan, HPG director, described their discovery of the billion pesos worth of contraband as a “big black eye to smuggling syndicates.”
Marantan said their vigorous campaign against smuggling activities was ordered by President Marcos and Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla.
He reported that for the past weeks, they were able to confiscate more than P300 million worth of smuggled cigarettes.
“It was a collective effort by the HPG, BOC (Bureau of Customs), CIDG (Criminal Investigation and Detection Group) and other agencies,” Marantan said.
