ZAMBOANGA CITY – Police seized smuggled cigarettes worth P210 million aboard two vessels in Tumalutap Island here on Wednesday, Oct. 5.
The Zamboanga City 2nd Mobile Force Company (ZCMFC) received information from fishermen that two wooden motor launches carrying boxes of cigarettes were in the area.
A team from the ZCMFC, together with the Bureau of Customs, proceeded to the area and intercepted the two vessels.
An inspection yielded 7,000 master cases of various imported cigarettes valued at P210 million.
Twelve crew members were held after they failed to provide documents to legalize the transport.
The cargo was reportedly bound for a distribution area in Zamboanga del Sur from Sulu when it was intercepted.
The vessels were towed to the ZCMFC wharf where a further inventory and paneling of cargo were conducted by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).
Mayor John Dalipe, who recently declared an all-out war against cigarette smuggling and sale of non-tax paid cigarettes in this city, warned that whoever is behind this massive contraband will face criminal raps, including administrative and graft charges, whoever is the personality involved.
Dalipe commended the ZCMFC and BOC-Port of Zamboanga during his inspection of the seized cigarettes.
He told media that they will conduct an intensive investigation against the personalities behind the huge haul of illicit cigarettes, and make sure that all those involved will face the full force of the law.
The ZCMFC under Lt. Col. Rey Ariño and the BOC-CIIS and ESS under the command of Capt. Leonard George Carillo conducted surveillance operations against the personalities suspected to be involved in cigarette smuggling.
The joint operation resulted in the interception of the M/V Nurkaisa and M/V Phoenix in Tumalutap.
The two vessels were loaded with 7,000 master cases of illicit cigarettes, among which are the brands Cannon Menthol and Commando Red.
The seized cigarettes do not bear BIR tax stamps and graphic health warnings, both of which are required to be affixed on cigarettes sold in the Philippines.
The entire contraband meant a potential loss in government revenues of P124 million in uncollected excise tax and Value-Added Tax (VAT).
District Collector Segundo Sigmundfreud Z. Barte Jr. of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) said they would conduct a "no-nonsense investigation to get to the bottom of this," and vowed to file appropriate charges against the perpetrators.
"We will leave no stone unturned to show these culprits that we will come after them harsher and smarter this time," Barte said.
Ariño said the operations were the result of a two-month long surveillance, adopting a whole-of-government approach.
"We need to level up our approach in curtailing smuggling in our turf. We need to do so because the President himself has declared war. Our mayor declared the same," Ariño said.
Taking a concerted approach, the combined forces of law enforcement and government agencies working together, Dalipe reiterated the seriousness of the city’s campaign to address the prevalent smuggling incidence in his turf.
He congratulated and commended the operatives for a job well done.
As of posting time, the unloading of the contraband is still ongoing.
The seized cigarettes will be turned over to the BOC for proper disposition and safekeeping until a warrant of seizure and detention is issued.