ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — Smuggled cigarettes with an estimated value of P2.6 million were seized by agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in Datu Odin Sinsuat town in Maguindanao del Norte on Monday.
The anti-smuggling operation in Barangay Awang also resulted in the arrest of truck driver Giebert Alburo and his helper Jay Alimbon.
Alburo and Alimbon failed to present documents for the transport of the cigarettes.
The NBI’s field office in Bangsamoro region set up a checkpoint at Crossing Awang after receiving information that a truck loaded with 100 master cases of alleged counterfeit cigarettes would pass through the area.
The contraband reportedly came from Indonesia and was intended for distribution in Davao City.
The cigarettes will be turned over to the Bureau of Customs for proper disposition.