SMUGGLED CIGARETTES. Policemen inspect the boxes of smuggled cigarettes seized Friday (June 17, 2022) in Barangay Ayala, Zamboanga City. The cigarettes are among the P4.6 million worth of smuggled cigarettes that were confiscated by policemen over the past two days in the city. (Photo courtesy of Area Police COMMAND-Western Mindanao)
ZAMBOANGA CITY – Authorities have arrested eight people and seized over PHP4.6 million worth of smuggled cigarettes over the past two days in this southern port city, a police official said Friday.
Col. Richard Verseles, operations chief of the Area Police Command-Western Mindanao (APC-WM), said four of the eight suspects, were arrested when operatives confiscated over PHP2.2 million worth of smuggled cigarettes aboard two watercraft around 4:20 a.m. Friday along the shore of Barangay Ayala here.
Verseles identified the suspects as Ali Julkanain, 26, and Mujibar Sharipa, 45, both crew of watercraft marked “Piranha”; and Julpikar Dasid, 42, and Jomar Acbal, 32, the crew of the other boat named “Wranglers.”
He said the shipment of smuggled cigarettes came from Jolo, Sulu.
Verseles said another suspect, Brazil Mudjahirin, was arrested following a brief chase around 5:45 a.m. Thursday along Maria Clara Lorenzo Lobregat Highway in Sitio Catumbal, Barangay Culianan.
The arresting team seized from him some PHP200,000 worth of smuggled cigarettes.
The remaining three suspects--Ibrahin Irilis, 32; Sabturan Malam, 40; and, Jibral Esad, 29--were also apprehended when policemen intercepted their van during a checkpoint operation around 1:40 p.m. Thursday in Barangay San Roque.
Verceles said the suspects’ van was loaded with PHP2.2 million worth of assorted smuggled cigarettes.
The confiscated contraband and vehicles were turned over to the custody of the Bureau of Customs here. (PNA)
