By CESAR JOLITO III

Three individuals were apprehended, while 10 others evaded arrest after an estimated P8.3 million worth of smuggled cigarettes were intercepted at the Old Bacolod Airport in Bacolod City’s Barangay Singcang-Airport yesterday morning.

The arrested individuals were 38-year-old Sibang Sali Sadjari, 43-year-old Husaim Arram Ajibon, and 29-year-old Alsidi Umran Isnani — all residents of Mindanao who were temporarily staying in Bacolod.

The seized shipment included 147 boxes of smuggled cigarettes, with each pack valued at P114.

The Philippine National Police’s Maritime Group believes this represents only half of the total cargo originally being transported.

Maritime Group acting deputy commander, Police Major Karl Bonilla, said they discovered dozens of boxes of undocumented cigarettes loaded from a pump boat around 5:30 a.m.

“The suspects were caught in the act, but some of their companions managed to flee by cutting the rope securing their vessel,” Bonilla said in a radio interview yesterday.

“This operation is a result of timely intelligence and rapid response,” he added.

The arrested suspects will be charged for violating Republic Act No. 10863, or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, and Republic Act No. 10643, the Graphic Health Warnings Law.

Authorities are now intensifying efforts to locate the remaining suspects and trace the origin of the illicit goods as part of the government’s crackdown on smuggling that undermines lawful trade and public health regulations./CJ, WDJ