SMUGGLED CIGARETTES. A soldier inspects a mini wing van loaded with some PHP2.4 million worth of smuggled cigarettes mixed with boxes of dried fish the authorities seize Thursday (Feb. 20, 2020) in Barangay San Vicente, Tungawan, Zamboanga Sibugay. The driver was not around when authorities arrived to confiscate the items. (Photo courtesy of Tungawan Mayor Carlnan Climaco)
ZAMBOANGA CITY -- Government authorities seized a shipment of some PHP2.4 million worth of smuggled cigarettes in a remote area in the province of Zamboanga Sibugay, police said on Friday.
Maj. Helen Galvez, Police Regional Office-9 (PRO-9) information officer, said the smuggled cigarettes were confiscated around 1:10 p.m. Thursday in Purok Panagatan, Barangay San Vicente, Tungawan, Zamboanga Sibugay.
Galvez said the shipment was seized following a tip “that allegedly there was a loading of contraband in a mini wing van in the vicinity of the port in Barangay San Vicente.”
Galvez said the team of policemen and soldiers, accompanied by Tungawan Mayor Carlnan Climaco, has arrested Abdurasman Usman, 33, a laborer and seized the vehicle loaded with 123 master cases of smuggled cigarettes and 52 boxes of dried fish worth PHP2.4 million.
Capt. Wabeling Tarroza, Tungawan police chief, said the driver of the vehicle, Hussein Aukasa, was not around when they arrived in Barangay San Vicente.
Tarroza said the vehicle is registered under the name of Salam Addah of Barangay Mampang here.
The vehicle and its cargo were impounded at the police headquarters of Tungawan, Zamboanga Sibugay.
He said an investigation is ongoing to determine the culprits involved in the shipment of smuggled cigarettes. (PNA)
