By CESAR JOLITO III

More than P2.6 million worth of suspected smuggled cigarettes were intercepted, and four individuals were arrested following a hot pursuit operation that ended in two separate vehicular crashes in Negros Oriental’s Vallehermoso town early Saturday, July 4.

Police recovered 29 large boxes containing 1,184 reams of suspected smuggled cigarettes with an estimated value of P2,639,000, along with the two vehicles used in the transport.

Guihulngan police, together with the Regional Special Operations Group, pursued two vehicles reportedly transporting suspected smuggled cigarettes at around 3:00 a.m.

They later coordinated with Vallehermoso police, which established a checkpoint to intercept the fleeing vehicles.

During the pursuit, authorities learned that both vehicles had figured in separate accidents in Barangays Puan and Molobolo.

In Barangay Puan, a black vehicle lost control and crashed, scattering several master cases and reams of suspected smuggled cigarettes along the road.

The driver, identified only as a 32-year-old resident of Lanao del Sur’s Malabang town, was rescued from the wreckage and taken to the Vallehermoso Rural Health Unit for treatment.

His passenger, a 31-year-old resident of Negros Occidental’s Escalante City, was arrested at the scene.

Meanwhile, in Barangay Molobolo, a maroon vehicle crashed into roadside railings.

The 43-year-old driver and his 46-year-old passenger, both residents of Misamis Oriental’s Manticao town, sustained injuries and were also brought to the rural health unit before being placed under arrest.

The four suspects were informed of the charges to be filed against them.

The recovered smuggled cigarettes are now under police custody while authorities prepare the filing of appropriate charges in coordination with concerned government agencies./CCJ, WDJ