Pagadian sea patrol intercepts P2.3-M ‘smuggled’ cigarettes

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur – Four men were arrested and at least P2.3 million worth of suspected smuggled cigarettes were seized in a joint maritime law enforcement operation in Barangay White Beach here Wednesday morning.

Capt. Derf Jay Maquinta, spokesperson for the Zamboanga del Sur Police Provincial Office (ZSPPO), said the four suspects are residents of Maguindanao del Norte, aged 20, 26, 30, and 32.

Maquinta said personnel from the Zamboanga del Sur Maritime Police Station (ZDS MARPSTA), alongside other law enforcement units, intercepted the suspects at 11:15 a.m.

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Confiscated during the operation were 40 master cases of White Cannon Menthol cigarettes with an estimated market value of P2.3 million and two unmarked wooden motorized boats used to transport the contraband.

Authorities brought the suspects and seized items to the ZDS MARPSTA station for proper disposition and documentation.

Police said the suspects face charges for violating Republic Act No. 10643, or the Graphic Health Warnings Law, which regulates the printing of health warnings on tobacco packages and penalizes the illegal distribution and trade of non-compliant tobacco products./coa