P7.3-M ‘smuggled’ cigarettes seized in Zamboanga Peninsula ops

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur – The Police Regional Office-9 (PRO-9) intensified its anti-smuggling campaign, confiscating at least P7.3 million worth of alleged illicit cigarettes in a series of operations across Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga City, and Pagadian City from August 31 to September 2.

Maj. Shellamie Chang, PRO-9 spokesperson, told the Inquirer that in Salug, Zamboanga del Norte, operatives arrested a 47-year-old driver from Zamboanga City after intercepting a multi-purpose vehicle (Nissan Livina) loaded with 1,049 reams of alleged illicit cigarettes during a checkpoint in Barangay Canawan on September 1. 

Salug Municipal Police personnel seized the contraband valued at P4,133,060.

Article continues after this advertisement

READ: Cops seize P7.51-M smuggled cigarettes in N. Mindanao

FEATURED STORIES

NEWSINFO

NEWSINFO

NEWSINFO

On August 31, police discovered an unattended minivan along the highway in Barangay Bolong, Zamboanga City. The vehicle contained 48 boxes of assorted suspected smuggled cigarettes with an estimated value of P1,014,510. The items were turned over to the Bureau of Customs (BOC) District Office 9.

In Pagadian City, police operatives confiscated 13 master cases of alleged smuggled cigarettes worth P744,900 from a motorized tricycle locally known as “bao-bao” on September 1. Two suspects were arrested.

Meanwhile, on September 2, PRO 9’s Regional Intelligence Division and Regional Special Operations Unit recovered 25 master cases of smuggled cigarettes abandoned along the shoreline of Barangay Sinunuc, Zamboanga City. The haul was valued at P1,432,500.

All seized contraband and vehicles were placed under police custody and will be formally turned over to the BOC for proper disposition.

The arrested suspects face charges for alleged violations of Republic Act (RA) 10863, or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, and RA 10643, or the Graphic Health Warnings Law./coa