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P4.9-M smuggled cigarettes seized in Zambo Peninsula

By Teofilo Garcia, Jr.

May 28, 2022, 3:10 pm

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Lawmen have seized a total of PHP4.93 million worth of smuggled cigarettes and arrested seven people in two separate anti-smuggling campaigns in the Zamboanga Peninsula during the week, a top police official said Saturday.

Brig. Gen. Franco Simborio, Police Regional Office 9 (Zamboanga Peninsula) director, said the bulk of the smuggled cigarettes were seized in an intelligence-driven anti-smuggling operation in Barangay Cabatangan, this city at about 8:10 a.m. on Tuesday.

Simborio said the smuggled cigarettes, worth PHP4.23 million and loaded in a closed van covered with packs of assorted puffed corn snacks, were seized by operatives of the police, military, and Bureau of Customs (BOC).

Three people were arrested. They were identified as Khan Jawari Adin, 24, the van driver, and two spotters aboard a motorcycle – Aldin Sabtal, 30, and Bensharif Bari, 32.

He said the confiscated smuggled cigarettes were supposed to be delivered to a warehouse in Barangay Divisoria here.

The other shipment of smuggled cigarettes worth PHP700,000 was seized by joint police and BOC operatives at the coast of Barangay Lamao, Liloy, Zamboanga del Norte at about 1:15 p.m. on Monday.

Simborio said the smuggled cigarettes that came from Tawi-Tawi were concealed in styrofoam coolers.

He said arrested in the anti-smuggling operation in Liloy were Warad John Uddin, 36; Ullia Talisan, 40; Mobi Ahajan, 50; and Rohit Ernie, 25.

He said the vehicles, smuggled cigarettes, and arrested persons were turned over to the custody of the BOC for proper disposition. (PNA) 

 

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