SMUGGLED CIGARETTES. Authorities seize more than PHP4 million worth of smuggled cigarettes in Barangay Calarian, Zamboanga City on Thursday (May 11, 2023). The seizure of illicit cigarettes was the third in the city this month. (Photo courtesy of ZCPO)
ZAMBOANGA CITY – Authorities arrested a suspect and confiscated more than PHP4 million worth of smuggled cigarettes in this city early Thursday.
Col. Alexander Lorenzo, city police director, said Sonny Aliabar Jawali was caught unloading boxes of cigarettes during the law enforcement operation in Barangay Calarian at about 5 a.m.
Seized from him were 115 master cases of smuggled cigarettes worth PHP4,025,000.
Lorenzo said the confiscated contraband was turned over to the Bureau of Customs (BOC) while the suspect was placed under the custody of the police’s Regional Special Operations Group 9 for further investigation and filing of charges.
Jawali’s arrest came a day after police operatives nabbed a suspect and seized PHP3.9 million worth of smuggled cigarettes in Barangay Maasin here.
The confiscation of smuggled cigarettes on Thursday was the third in this city for this month.
On May 5, joint police and BOC operatives also arrested two suspects and seized PHP4.4 million worth of smuggled cigarettes in the waters off Recodo village. (PNA)
