P4.2 million smuggled cigarettes seized in Basilan

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — Smuggled cigarettes with an estimated market value of P4.2 million were seized in separate police operations in Zamboanga del Sur and Basilan on Saturday.

Of the amount, P3.2 million worth of the contraband was seized by personnel of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)-Basilan Station from a motorized boat they intercepted in the municipal waters off Hadji Muhtamad.

The PCG personnel were patrolling in the area to prevent fishermen from sailing due to the typhoon when they intercepted the boat at around 3:30 p.m.

Authorities discovered 130 master cases of smuggled cigarettes loaded on the boat that was reportedly headed to Zamboanga City from Jolo, Sulu.

The PCG men apprehended the boat’s four crewmembers. They towed the vessel to the PCG sub-station in Maluso town.

In Zamboanga del Sur, a van loaded with smuggled cigarettes collided with another vehicle as it was trying to escape from pursuing police officers in Ramon Magsaysay.

Agents of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and local police officers intercepted the van at a checkpoint in Barangay Campo 4, according to Col. Richard Verceles, chief of the Area Police Command-Western Mindanao.

Instead of pulling over, van driver Hadzmir Dansahan Abdul stepped on the gas, triggering a pursuit operation that resulted in the collision.

Police arrested Abdul and recovered two master cases and 866 reams of smuggled cigarettes with an estimated market value of P1 million.

Abdul was taken to the Ramon Magsaysay police station for investigation.