Police arrested two men during a checkpoint operation in Zaragoza, Nueva Ecija, on Tuesday, December 10, for allegedly violating the Anti-Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003 (Republic Act No. 9211).
Authorities intercepted a truck carrying illegal cigarettes at around 5 am on the Sta. Rosa-Zaragoza Road in Barangay Carmen. Acting on a tip received hours earlier, personnel from the 2nd Maneuver Platoon and Zaragoza Municipal Police Station flagged the vehicle during routine inspection.
The driver and helper, identified only as “Vin” and “Mon,” failed to present proper documentation for the truck’s cargo—147 boxes of Chinese cigarettes worth approximately P1.7 million. Both suspects were arrested.
Police Regional Office 3 Director Brigadier General Redrico Maranan lauded the swift response of Zaragoza police, saying, “This operation reflects our commitment to enforcing laws and curbing illegal activities that harm our economy and public health.”