The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) seized nearly P1 million worth of alleged smuggled cigarettes in Barangay Maputi, Banaybanay, Davao Oriental.

Personnel of the Coast Guard Sub-Station Banaybanay conducted a seaborne patrol after receiving a tip from a concerned citizen.

Authorities recovered 51 boxes containing 2,485 reams of assorted cigarettes abandoned in the area.

The items recovered were then turned over to the Bureau of Customs-Davao for proper disposition.

“The turn-over process commenced, culminating with the inventory and segregation of the cigarettes by the BOC-Davao personnel. Representative of CGSS Banaybanay received the official acknowledgment receipt, on behalf of the Philippine Coast Guard confirming the details of the recovered items,” Coast Guard District Southeastern Mindanao said.

“True to its commitment, Coast Guard District Southeastern Mindanao will relentlessly provide assistance to cognizant agencies towards achieving its common goal,” it added.