ZAMBOANGA CITY--Policemen have arrested seven people and seized some PHP4.2 million worth of smuggled cigarettes in a law enforcement operation in the provinces of Zamboanga del Sur, an official said Friday.
Captain Edwin Duco, Police Regional Office-9 (PRO-9) information officer, identified the arrested suspects as Munar Parantes Badari, 28; Dada Solaiman Ado, 34; Al Dasi Bakil Juhaili, 27; Sakib Marid Sayyadi, 42; Alkabid Jumdain, 26; Alfahad Pustahan, 23; and, Abdurajik Faruk Halaman, 47; all residents of Sulu province.
Duco said the suspects were arrested during a law enforcement operation around 3:30 a.m. Thursday in Barangay White Beach, Pagadian City, after the local police received information that cargoes were being unloaded from a fishing boat in the area.
Pagadian City police seized some 211 masters cases of smuggled cigarettes with an estimated market value of PHP4.2 million, a drop side cargo truck, and a fishing boat.
He said the arrested suspects and the confiscated cargoes were brought to Pagadian City Police Station for proper disposition. (PNA)
