Police nab three in P3.1M cigarette smuggling bust in Negros Oriental

Police intercepted approximately P3.1 million worth of suspected smuggled cigarettes and apprehended three individuals during a joint anti-smuggling operation in Barangay Nagbo-alao, Basay town, Negros Oriental, on Monday morning.

The Police Regional Office Negros Island Region identified the suspects as a 25-year-old truck driver identified only as "Lom," and two passengers aged 41 and identified as "Joe" and "Ben," respectively. The operation was conducted as part of ongoing efforts to combat cigarette smuggling in the region.

Authorities did not immediately disclose additional details regarding the circumstances of the interception or the intended destination of the contraband shipment. The seized cigarettes were turned over to appropriate government agencies for further processing and disposition in accordance with customs regulations.

The arrests form part of a sustained campaign by law enforcement against smuggling operations affecting Negros Island, a major transit point for illegal goods in the Visayas region.