SEIZED. Fifty boxes of suspected smuggled cigarettes are loaded into a police vehicle at a checkpoint in Barangay Baloyboan, Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur on Friday (Oct. 29, 2021). The truck driver and his aide failed to show documents that would prove their shipment is legal. (Photo courtesy of Jazel Lagumbay/MalindangPH Facebook)
ZAMBOANGA CITY – Police authorities are preparing charges against two individuals caught transporting about PHP750,000 worth of smuggled cigarettes in Zamboanga del Sur.
According to a report released by Col. Roel Lami-ing, Zamboanga del Sur Provincial Police director, on Saturday, suspects Samuel Abrenica, 51, delivery truck driver, and his 18-year-old aide, Bienvenido Ancheta Jr., were arrested at about 11:30 a.m. on Friday by joint police and military personnel in Barangay Baloyboan at the provincial capital, Pagadian City
Lami-ing said the troops were manning the Community Police Assistance Center checkpoint when they intercepted the truck loaded with 50 master cases and bound for Zamboanga Sibugay.
He said the duo failed to present documents to show the legality of their shipment of 27 cigarette master cases of green Commando, 22 master cases of red Commando, and one master case of Premier.
On October 17, the police also seized an illegal cigarette shipment in Barangay Upper Bag-ong Tudela, Josefina -- 874 reams of Indonesian-made Gudang Baru cigarettes worth PHP786,600. (PNA)
