Authorities inspect P3.25 million worth of alleged smuggled cigarettes seized during a joint entrapment operation in Barangay Amandayehan, Basey, Samar, on Aug. 4, 2026. Three suspects were arrested and are facing charges for alleged violations of tax, consumer protection, and graphic health warning laws. (PRO-8)
TACLOBAN CITY — Authorities seized alleged smuggled cigarettes worth P3.25 million and arrested three suspects during a joint entrapment operation in Basey, Samar, on Tuesday, Aug. 4, as part of an intensified campaign against the illicit tobacco trade.
The operation took place in Barangay Amandayehan and was carried out by operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Regional Field Unit 8–Regional Special Operations Team (CIDG RFU 8-RSOT), in coordination with the Basey Municipal Police Station, the Regional Special Operations Team–Regional Maritime Unit 8, the Regional Intelligence Division/Regional Special Operations Unit 8–Team Samar, and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Revenue District Office in Tacloban City.
Arrested were a 38-year-old driver from Guiuan, Eastern Samar, identified only as alias “Dev”; a 29-year-old unemployed woman known as alias “May”; and a 42-year-old driver from Basey identified as alias “Rod.”
