The police and personnel from the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) seized an estimated P82.713 million worth of allegedly smuggled cigarettes from three traders, including two Chinese nationals, during an operation at a hotel here on Thursday.
Isabela police director Col. Manuel Bringas identified the suspects only as ‘Willy’ and two Chinese nationals known by the aliases ‘Michael’ and ‘Lisa.’
They were taken into custody for questioning.
Bringas said authorities launched the operation after receiving information that the suspects were allegedly engaged in the wholesale distribution of smuggled cigarettes.
Armed with a mission order issued by the BIR, police officers and BIR personnel conducted tax compliance, inspection, and enforcement activities at Rooms 24 and 26 of TD Hotel in Barangay District 1.
The mission order authorized the inspection and confiscation of smuggled cigarettes, raw materials, packaging materials, and equipment used in the unauthorized manufacture of cigarette products, as well as the enforcement of the National Internal Revenue Code.
Authorities recovered 88 boxes of Bon International Nise Red cigarettes and 20 boxes of Modern 100s Green in Room 24.
Another 90 boxes of Bon International Nise Red and four boxes of Bon International Nise Blue were seized in Room 26.