JOINT police and Bureau of Customs personnel arrested a couple and seized some P2.1 million worth of assorted smuggled cigarettes in anti-smuggling operation in Zamboanga del Sur, the police official reported Monday, June 20.

Police Major Shellamie Chang, Police Regional Office-Zamboanga Peninsula information officer, identified the arrested couple as Alvin Pranza, 25, and his wife, Adelyn, 21, residents of Purok Mangga 1 in Lantian village, Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur.

Chang said the Pranza couple was arrested in an anti-smuggling operation launched around 11:30 p.m. Saturday, June 18, after authorities received information that cigarettes were seen unloading in Sang-an village, Labangan.

Seized from the couple were some 60 master cases of assorted brand of cigarettes worth P2.1 million.

Chang said the arrested couple and the confiscated contrabands were placed under the temporary custody of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-Zambonga del Sur field office pending turnover to the BOC and filing of appropriate charges against them. (SunStar Zamboanga)