POLICE authorities have identified the suspect who smuggled P750,000 worth of cigarettes into Zone 3, Barangay Bulua, this city on February 1.
Major Joann Navarro, Camp Alagar spokesperson, identified the smuggling suspect as Vhan Maddun Tammany. She added that the suspect is still at large.
In a phone interview this morning, Navarro said the suspect managed to escape after noticing the presence of law enforcement units during a buy-bust operation in his area.
“Pagkahibalo sa suspek atol sa gihimong buy-bust nga naay police, midali kini ug sibat paingon sa iyang kwarto,” Navarro told Gold Star Daily.
She added that from the suspect’s room, he escaped through a back door.
The police, however, were able to confiscate the contraband inside his room.
She said the initial investigation revealed that the suspect is a native of Sulu province based on his identification card which was found by the operatives in the area of the operation.
Navarro said they have filed appropriate charges against the suspect before the Office of the City Prosecutor in Cagayan de Oro City.
The suspect has violated the Excise Tax on Tobacco Law, she added.
Confiscated items during the operation were two million-Black Menthol, two million-Red Blend, San Diego, Berlin, and Fort with a total cigarette of 52 master cases, three reams, and seven packs.
All confiscated items were brought to the Investigative Unit of the Bureau of Internal Revenue Regional Office No.16
Brigadier Gen. Lawrence B. Coop, Police Regional Office-10 director, ordered the conduct of a follow-up operation to locate the suspect, Navarro said.
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