Smuggled cigarettes seized in Nueva Ecija

CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga, Philippines — Smuggled cigarettes worth about P1.7 million were seized at a police checkpoint in Zaragoza, Nueva Ecija on Tuesday.

The contraband was loaded in a truck that was intercepted in Barangay Carmen at around 5 a.m., according to Brig. Gen. Redrico Maranan, Central Luzon police director.

Probers said the truck driver and his helper, whose identities were not immediately available, failed to show any document or permit for the transport of 147 boxes of cigarettes.

This prompted authorities to arrest the driver and his helper.

Police said the suspects would remain in detention while proper charges are being prepared against them.