By BACOLOD CITY—Joint law enforcement operatives intercepted an illegal shipment of contraband cigarettes worth more than P40 million and arrested 10 individuals in Basay, Negros Oriental, on Saturday, May 16.
In a report on Sunday, the Police Regional Office–Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) said the operation stemmed from a verified intelligence report on the alleged unloading of illicit tobacco products from a 10-wheeler closed van in Sitio Labugon, Barangay Nagbo-alao.
Seized during the operation were 700 master cases of “Bosqu” brand cigarettes bearing unauthorized tax seals and lacking the required graphic health warning labels mandated under Republic Act No. 10643, or the Graphic Health Warning Law.
