Labrador: The Pangasinan police intercepted a truck containing boxes of suspected smuggled cigarettes worth over PHP8 million at a checkpoint in Labrador, Pangasinan on Wednesday night.

According to Philippines News Agency, authorities conducted a search of the impounded white Isuzu Elf closed van, driven by two Chinese nationals. The arrested suspects include a 40-year-old businessman residing in Sampaloc, Manila, and a 44-year-old individual from China.

During the operation, authorities discovered 101 boxes (5,050 reams) of illicit tobacco products. This included 13 boxes or 650 reams of Modern Cigarette Menthol 100s, 49 boxes or 2,450 reams of Farstar Kingsize, 25 boxes or 1,250 reams of Modern 100 Black Menthol, and 14 boxes or 700 reams of Modern Menthol 100s in black and blue color combinations.

The products lacked the required documents and did not pass through the Bureau of Customs (BOC). The seized products were turned over to the BOC as evidence for the filing of appropriate charges against the arrested suspects.