A police officer assigned to Camp Crame was arrested after authorities found P1.285 million worth of suspected smuggled cigarettes inside a vehicle intercepted at a checkpoint in Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur.
According to an initial report, intelligence personnel from the Pagadian City Police Station set up the checkpoint along the National Highway near the PNP COMPAC in Barangay Tiguma after receiving information about the alleged transport of smuggled cigarettes.
The vehicle was intercepted as it attempted to pass through the checkpoint, leading police to discover several concealed reams of cigarettes.
Personnel from the Bureau of Customs were immediately contacted to assist in the inventory and assessment of the seized products.
Authorities documented and secured 251 reams of New Berlin cigarettes with an estimated market value of P1.285 million for proper disposition.
The suspect, a male PNP personnel of legal age assigned at Camp Crame in Quezon City, remains in police custody while appropriate procedures are carried out in coordination with the concerned authorities.