TASK Force Davao personnel, alongside Davao City Police Office and Bureau of Customs XI, seized smuggled cigarettes worth ₱8,787,000 at the Sirawan checkpoint in Toril district, early Thursday, May 23.
Major John Louie Dema-ala, the spokesperson of Task Force Davao, said the contraband intercepted from a white Isuzu Forward Wing Van contained 303 master cases of Canon Menthol cigarettes.
Task Force Davao Commander Colonel Darren Comia commended his team’s vigilance in securing Davao City’s entry points and the arrest of the two suspects, Dante Cabasan, 26, and Dennick Flores, 33, both from Cagayan de Oro.
Comia highlighted the recent string of apprehensions of illegal goods, including drugs and firearms, showcasing the city’s strict security measures.
He said it could be noted that there were consecutive apprehensions related to illegal drugs and illegal firearms and ammunition this week in the entry points of Davao City.
As such, “the consecutive apprehensions in our entry points manifested the stringent security checks being implemented by Davao City’s security forces to ensure the safety and security of every Dabawenyo,” the Task Force Davao commander said.
The suspects were immediately turned over to the Toril Police Station and Bureau of Customs XI for the filing of appropriate charges under Republic Act No. 4712, which amends sections of the Tariff and Customs Code, for smuggling cigarettes.
