P1.7M worth of contraband cigarettes seized in Nueva Ecija
Mon Lazaro December 11, 2024 at 05:30 PM
CABANATUAN CITY, Nueva Ecija – Over P1.7 million worth of contraband cigarettes were intercepted at a police checkpoint in Zaragosa town early Tuesday morning.
It can be recalled that on November 30 this year, more than P1.3 million worth of contraband cigarettes were also confiscated at a police checkpoint in the same town.
The latest seizure took place at an anti-criminality checkpoint in Barangay Carmen at around 3:00 a.m.

According to Col. Ferdinand Germino, Nueva Ecija police director, the contraband was loaded in a Mitsubishi 12-wheeler truck wing van with license plate NHA 5179, which was flagged down for routine check and verification procedures.
Upon inspection, when the driver opened the back door of the truck, a total of 147 boxes of assorted Chinese-brand cigarettes, estimated to be worth P1,764,000, were seen in plain view.
The driver and his helper failed to present any legal documents for the possession and transport of the said cigarettes, leading to their confiscation.
The suspects are now facing charges for violations of RA 9211, or the Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003. They are currently in the custody of the Zaragosa Police Station along with the confiscated items.
📷 Nueva Ecija Police