AUTHORITIES confiscated P2.5 million worth of smuggled cigarettes from a 47-year-old man at a police checkpoint along Libby Road, Purok 15, Barangay Bago Gallera, around 8:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 6.
Captain Hazel Tuazon, spokesperson for the Davao City Police Office (DCPO), identified the suspect as Ervin Jocson, a married driver from Bouganvilla, Tungawan, Zamboanga City. He was arrested for violations of the Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines, as amended by Republic Act 4712, as well as R.A. 10643.
The enforcement team confiscated an impressive 200 boxes of D&G cigarettes valued at P2,500,000.
According to reports from Police Station 17 (Baliok), led by Captain Genevieve Delima and Major Harold Untalan, checkpoint officers flagged the suspect’s truck for inspection. They found 10 reams of cigarettes on the dashboard and 40 reams in a box beside the driver’s seat, raising suspicions.
During the thorough inspection, officers discovered that one panel of the container door was slightly open. With the driver’s presence, they found multiple boxes of D&G brand imported cigarettes inside.
When asked for the necessary documents, Jocson could not produce any, leading to his arrest and the seizure of the smuggled goods. Police coordinated with the Bureau of Customs, though they chose not to respond at the location of the arrest.
The confiscated evidence included 200 boxes of D&G cigarettes valued at P2,500,000, a white Isuzu 14-wheeler prime mover truck bearing plate number MAP 3801, and a 40-foot white container van with plate number AUB 1814, complete with the ignition key.
Photo courtesy of DCPO
