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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider PNP orders tighter coastal patrols after P6.5-M 'smuggled' cigarette haul off Zamboanga

PNP orders tighter coastal patrols after P6.5-M 'smuggled' cigarette haul off Zamboanga

Published Aug 7, 2026 06:57 pm

At A Glance

  • Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Police Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. ordered maritime and coastal police units to intensify patrols after a P6.5-million suspected smuggled cigarette shipment was intercepted off Zamboanga City.
  • Police seized about 2,182 reams of cigarettes and arrested two men who allegedly failed to present shipping or transport documents for the cargo.
  • Nartatez directed police to pursue not only transporters but also the financiers and organizers behind smuggling operations through intelligence-driven enforcement.
Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Police General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. presides over a press briefing with top police officials at Camp Crame in Quezon City on Aug. 6, 2026. (Photo: PNP)
Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Police General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. presides over a press briefing with top police officials at Camp Crame in Quezon City on Aug. 6, 2026. (Photo: PNP)
The Philippine National Police (PNP) said it has stepped up efforts to curb the movement of undocumented cigarette shipments by sea after a motorized boat loaded with about P6.5 million worth of suspected smuggled tobacco was intercepted off Zamboanga City.
PNP Chief Police Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. ordered all police units with coastal jurisdictions to intensify maritime and coastal patrols.
“I have directed all maritime and coastal police units to intensify seaborne patrols and focus not only on intercepting illegal shipments but also on identifying and filing cases against the financiers, organizers, and other personalities behind these smuggling operations. We will sustain intelligence-driven operations to disrupt the entire supply chain,” Nartatez said.
The 2nd Zamboanga City Mobile Force Company (ZCMFC) Seaborne Unit intercepted the boat in the waters off Layag-Layag Island in Barangay Talon-Talon on Thursday, Aug. 6.
The operation resulted in the arrest of two suspects, both residents of Barangay Rio Hondo, who allegedly failed to present shipping or transport documents for the cargo.
The intercepted boat was carrying about 2,182 reams of cigarettes from various brands, including “Cannon,” “Berlin” and “Bravo,” the PNP said.
Police towed the vessel to the 2nd ZCMFC Wharf along R.T. Lim Boulevard in Barangay Baliwasan for further investigation.
The police also coordinated with the Bureau of Customs Port of Zamboanga and Zamboanga City Police Station 12 (Central) for the inventory and marking of the seized cigarettes.
Nartatez said the latest seizure showed the need for sustained maritime enforcement and intelligence operations.
“We will continue to pursue those involved in smuggling wherever they operate, whether on land or at sea. We will work closely with other government agencies to hold everyone involved accountable, from transporters to financiers, because smuggling undermines legitimate businesses and deprives the government of much-needed revenues,” he added.
The PNP said the intensified patrols would target maritime routes used to transport illegal shipments while police units continue intelligence operations to identify the people financing and organizing smuggling activities.

Related Tags

PNP cigarette smuggling Zamboanga
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