P115.3 million smuggled cigarettes seized in Zamboanga

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — Illegal cigarettes valued at P115.3 million were seized in separate anti-smuggling operations in Zamboanga del Sur on Monday.

The cigarettes were found in a wing van and a motorized boat that were intercepted by a joint team of Army troopers, the police and agents of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) in Barangay White Beach, Pagadian City.

The van and the boat were carrying 611 master cases of assorted foreign-branded cigarettes, the team said.

On the same day, troopers intercepted five indigenous boats locally known as bote-bote, and seized at least 60 master cases of smuggled cigarettes in Punta Flecha, Pitogo town.

The anti-smuggling operations resulted in the arrest of three men who failed to show documents authorizing the transport of their cargos.

The contraband was turned over to the BOC for proper disposition.

Customs collector Elenita Abaño commended the military and the police for supporting the BOC’s campaign against smuggling.