The combined forces of various Philippine National Police components in Zamboanga City and the Bureau of Customs held three land and sea enforcement operations in the city and confiscated over P5-million worth of smuggled cigarettes.
PART of the contraband cigarette brands seized in the sea of Tumalutap Island, Zamboanga City.
Two of the operations were conducted in Barangay Kasanyangan, Zamboanga City where elements of the BOC and 1st Zamboanga City Mobile Force Company (ZCMFC), 2nd ZMFC-Seaborne, and Zamboanga City Police Stations 3 and 6 seized 61 master cases of assorted brands of smuggled cigarettes.
The joint government forces confiscated from Dustone Drive, Barangay Kasanyangan 25 master cases of Cannon, three master cases of Blackhawk, and three master cases of Vess, all brands of smuggled cigarettes worth P1,085,000.
Quoting witnesses, BOC District Collector Arthur Sevilla said the contrabands were abandoned by two suspects who immediately fled before authorities could reach the area.
PART of the contraband cigarette brands seized in the sea of Tumalutap Island, Zamboanga City.
Sevilla disclosed further that concerned citizens tipped off authorities that several boxes of smuggled cigarettes were dispatched in the location supposedly to be picked up by whoever will transport and distribute the items.
Also in Barangay Kasanyangan, this time in a nipa hut situated within the mangrove area of Sitio Asinan, elements of the 2nd ZCMFC-Seaborne, CIDG-ZCFU, and BOC-9 seized 15 master cases of BR Cigarettes and 15 master cases of Commissioner Cigarettes at around 11:10 p.m. on Monday, September 11.
The alleged caretaker of the goods identified only as a certain “Boljack” eluded arrest but the estimated market value of the smuggled cigarettes was placed at P1,050,000.
A PNP informant, however, said the 30 master cases of smuggled cigarettes were supposed to be ready for transport and distribution.
The biggest haul of the joint government forces took place on September 11 within the vicinity waters off Tumalutap Island, Zamboanga City where they intercepted a motorized vessel named FB Ommayah loaded with 4,200 boxes equivalent to 84 master cases of various brands of smuggled cigarettes.
Police Lt. Col. Reynald Arino, the 2nd ZCMFC-Seaborne chief, said the confiscated smuggled cigarettes such as New Berlin Red, Astro Red, Forth Menthol, San Marino Green, San Marino Black, San Marino White, and Cannon Menthol were worth P2.9 million.
Authorities arrested the vessel captain identified as Takam Awang Julhakim and his crew members Muhajir Hadjiruddin Ahadin, Udjah Alyala Usab, and Mahsin Mukam Usman and are now detained and undergoing investigation.
Arino said they have heightened their border control operations against illegal entries and smuggling in the long coastal areas within their jurisdiction.