PNP arrests 3, recovers P21-M worth of smuggled cigarettes in Zamboanga City

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Tuesday recovered over P21 million worth of smuggled cigarettes from the crew of a motorized boat off the waters of Manalipa Island in Zamboanga City.

Three crew members were also arrested by the PNP’s 2nd Zamboanga City Mobile Force Company (Seaborne), the Regional Maritime Unit 9, Regional Special Operations Unit, 904th Regional Mobile Force Battalion 9, and Zamboanga City Police Station 4.

“This seizure shows that illegal trade has no place in our waters. We will relentlessly safeguard our borders and the lawful economy from those who attempt to profit outside the law,” said PNP acting chief Police Lieutenant General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr.

The interception of the smuggled cigarettes was carried out at around 2:35 a.m. Tuesday during a joint seaborne patrol within the territorial waters of Manalipa Island.

The team intercepted a motorized boat locally known as a “jungkung” that was loaded with 332 master cases of smuggled cigarettes worth P21.248 million.

The boat’s crew were also arrested after they failed to present pertinent documents, while the boat was also brought to the 2nd ZCMFC in Zamboanga City for proper documentation.

The confiscated cigarettes consisted of 137 master cases of a popular cigarette brand and 195 master cases of another cigarette brand.

Nartatez stressed that every interception “weakens criminal networks and reinforces public trust in law enforcement.”

“Malinaw ang aming paninindigan – hindi namin hahayaang gamitin ang ating karagatan para sa kontrabando at iba pang ilegal na gawain,” he added.

(Our resolve is clear – we will not let our seas be used to smuggle contraband and other illegal activities.) — JMA, GMA Integrated News