Authorities seized alleged smuggled cigarettes worth more than P107 million from two boats on Sta. Cruz Island in Zamboanga City.
Personnel of the Police Regional Office-Zamboanga (PRO-9) intercepted the two vessels after authorities noticed suspicious cargo during a security operation on Wednesday, November 12, 2025.
Confiscated from the boats were around 1,532 boxes of assorted cigarettes worth around P107.2 million.
Police also arrested seven crew members on board, who are residents of Sulu and Tawi-Tawi, after they reportedly failed to present documents for the cargo during inspection.
They were taken into police custody while the seized items were turned over to the Bureau of Customs (BOC).
