A TRUCK driver was arrested and P9.861 million pesos worth of smuggled cigarettes were seized at a checkpoint in Toril District around 9:55 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025.
Task Force Davao and police personnel stopped a Mitsubishi Fuso Fighter truck bearing plate number CCK3653 at the Sirawan checkpoint after the driver, identified as Carlito, 37, acted suspiciously and failed to present papers.
The driver claimed he worked for J&T Express company, which turned out to be a lie. Further questioning led to the discovery of 251 boxes containing 12,550 reams of smuggled Modern (Red) cigarettes inside the truck.
Bureau of Customs inspectors arrived at the scene and confirmed the value of the seized cigarettes at P9,861,790.
The driver is now detained at the Toril Police Station as he violated Republic Act 10863, which prohibits the importation and distribution of smuggled goods.
