THE PHILIPPINE Coast Guard (PCG) Station Davao Oriental, through its substation (CGSS) in Banaybanay, seized more than P800,000 of smuggled cigarettes in Sitio White Sand, Barangay Maputi, on Monday evening, May 13.
Following a tip from a concerned citizen, the CGSS seaborne patrol team swiftly responded to the reported location.
Upon arrival, they discovered and secured 51 boxes of assorted smuggled cigarettes, estimated to be worth P864,000.
Lt. Commander Angel Tobias, chief of staff for Coast Guard District Southeastern Mindanao, said the P864,000 worth of smuggled cigarettes comprised 2,485 various reams of cigarette brands.
The recovered items were transported to the CGSS Banaybanay Office for inventory, completed early on May 14. The process was witnessed by Banaybanay Municipal Mayor Lemuel Ian M. Larcia.
Following the inventory, the cigarettes were transported to the Bureau of Customs (BOC) in Davao for proper disposition.
BOC personnel then conducted their own inventory and segregation of the contraband. Finally, a representative from CGSS Banaybanay received an official acknowledgment receipt from BOC-Davao, confirming the details of the recovered items.
The PCG District Southeastern Mindanao remains committed to collaborating with relevant agencies.
“This successful operation exemplifies their dedication to achieving their shared goal of curbing illegal activities within their jurisdiction,” the statement said.
