ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - Combined government security forces intercepted and confiscated an estimated P4 million worth of smuggled cigarettes aboard a ferry past midnight Friday.
Joint elements of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), anti-vice unit of the Central Police Station and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) intercepted the vessel Trixia Kirstin 2 about 12:30 a.m. following ab intelligence tip that it was transporting contraband.
Lt. Col. Ritche Pabilonia disclosed during investigation that it yielded more or less 400 cases of suspected smuggled cigarettes with an estimated market value of P4 million pesos.
Further investigation disclosed that the contraband was believed to have come from Indonesia and Malaysia, and transported to Bongao, Tawi-Tawi where it was repacked and subsequently shipped to Zamboanga City.
Police and the coast guard authorities were tracing the owner of the contraband as no one came out to claim ownership of the confiscated item.