OVER P1.2-M ILLICIT CIGARETTES SURRENDERED TO POLICE IN TARLAC

BY KEVIN GALANG

LA PAZ, Tarlac — A warehouse owner on Monday voluntarily surrendered to the authorities more than P1.2 million worth of illicit cigarettes during an anti-illegal tobacco operation conducted by the police in Bgy. Caramutan, this municipality. 

In a report to Police Regional Office 3 (PRO3) director Brig. Gen. Jess Mendez, the Tarlac Police Provincial Office (PPO) said personnel of the La Paz Municipal Police Station (MPS) carried out an intelligence-driven campaign against the sale and distribution of illicit cigarettes.

Section 263 of the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC) of 1997 penalizes the unlawful possession or removal of articles subject to excise tax without payment of the required taxes.

The operation began after operatives conducted a test-buy that led them to a warehouse on Calderon St., Bgy. Caramutan.

The warehouse owner was identified as alias Chie, 35, a resident of the area.

Police said the suspect was informed that the cigarette products sold during the test-buy were considered illicit and that possession of such items without proof of tax payment was a violation of the law.

When asked to present legal documents and proof that the excise taxes had been paid, the suspect reportedly failed to produce any supporting records.

He subsequently voluntarily surrendered the cigarette stocks in his possession, consisting of 15 boxes of BON International cigarettes, five boxes of Modern cigarettes, two boxes of HP cigarettes, one box of Two Moon cigarettes, and one box of RGD cigarettes.

The confiscated items had an estimated standard market value of P1,224,000.

The surrendered cigarettes were later transported to the La Paz Municipal Police Station for documentation and proper disposition.

Authorities said the operation forms part of the continuing efforts of the Police Regional Office 3 to curb the proliferation of untaxed tobacco products and protect government revenues from losses caused by illegal trade.