P4.1 million smuggled cigarettes seized in Zamboanga Peninsula

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines —  Smuggled cigarettes with an estimated value of P4.1 million were seized in operations in this city and Zamboanga Sibugay in the past two days.

Operatives of police station 8 in this city were on patrol when they offered to help the driver of a Suzuki mini van parked by the roadside in Barangay Sinunuc due to a flat tire.

“When the driver opened the van, police operatives were surprised that it was loaded with 32 master cases of suspected smuggled cigarettes,” Col. Richard Verceles, operations chief of Area Police Command-Western Mindanao, said.

The driver, Benhar Gani Tunggal, and his companion Aldimar Ismula Idjan were arrested for failing to present pertinent documents to transport the cigarettes worth P1.1 million.

In Zamboanga Sibugay on Tuesday, a truck loaded with 85 master cases of smuggled cigarettes worth P3 million was seized in Barangay Baluran in Tungawan town.

The confiscated items, vehicles and the arrested persons were turned over to the custody of the Bureau of Customs. – Robertzon Ramirez