2 nabbed, ₱16M in illegal cigarettes seized off Zamboanga City waters

Authorities on Monday night intercepted over P16 million in smuggled cigarettes and arrested two Filipinos off the waters of Sta. Cruz Island in Zamboanga City, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said.

In a statement, the PNP said the contraband was recovered as police units were conducting a seaborne patrol in the waters off Sta. Cruz Island.

Law enforcers intercepted a green and white motorized boats manned by two Filipino male crew members. They later discovered another motorized blue and yellow boat abandoned in the area.

The boats were loaded with 280 master cases of alleged smuggled cigarettes with a market value of P16.044 million.

Authorities turned over the contraband and the two boats to the Bureau of Customs (BOC) at the Port of Zamboanga, while the two men were brought to the Zamboanga City Police Station 11 for proper disposition and documentation.

“Smuggling undermines our economy and deprives the government of rightful revenues. We will continue to strengthen our maritime patrols and law enforcement operations to stop these illegal activities at sea,” PNP chief Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr said.

“Let this serve as a warning – our waters are not safe passage for contraband. The PNP will pursue all individuals involved in illegal trade and ensure that they face the full force of the law,” he added.

The interception of the smuggled cigarettes in the waters off Zamboanga City came amid the intensified campaign of authorities against smuggled, illicit cigarettes.

Earlier this month, six Chinese nationals were arrested and 63 Filipinos were rescued during a raid on an alleged illegal cigarette factory in Mexico, Pampanga.

Over P400 million in tobacco leaves, fake tax stamps, packaging materials, and other manufacturing equipment were recovered from the factory.

Three illegal cigarette factories were also shut down in the same town.

The PNP also arrested 15 individuals, including three Chinese nationals in a series of operations in different parts of the country that yielded P91 million worth of smuggled and illegal cigarettes.

In Tarlac City, authorities recovered two vans containing illicit, smuggled cigarettes worth over P47 million last week. — JMA, GMA Integrated News