ZAMBOANGA CITY – Police and military authorities intercepted 53 master cases of smuggled cigarettes, estimated to be worth P1.6 million, that were loaded in a mini truck and bound for Zamboanga Sibugay province.
A police report released on Friday, December 18, indicated that police and military authorities seized the contraband at a checkpoint manned by the police and 74th Infantry Battalion at Sitio Malasugat, Barangay Sangali, Zamboanga City at about 10:20 p.m. on December 16.
The police said a truck that was being driven by Nasul Salim Y Baanan, was stopped and found to be loaded with 53 master cases of assorted imported cigarettes.
Salim, a resident of Barangay San Roque in this city, failed to present any legitimate papers to legalized his transport of the contraband outside Zamboanga City.
Confiscated from his possessions were 21 master cases of New Merlin brand of cigarettes, 14 master cases of Cannon brand, 15 master cases of Royal, and three master cases of Ford brand cigarettes.
Police and military authorities immediately seized the suspected contraband, and turned these over to the Bureau of Customs (BOC) in his city for proper disposition.
Zamboanga City Customs District Collector Segundo Z. Barte Jr., lauded the police and military for their effort in helping the BOC in their campaign against smuggling in this city.
Barte said the local BOC will not take any break this Yuletide season in its campaign against any form of smuggling activities in the region as ordered to him by BOC chief Rey Leonardo B Guerrero.