POLICE operatives have seized some P850,000 worth of smuggled cigarettes in the province of Zamboanga Sibugay, the police reported Wednesday, October 6, 2021.

Police Brigadier General Ronaldo Genaro Ylagan, Police Regional Office-Zamboanga Peninsula chief, said the smuggled cigarettes were seized around 4:15 a.m. Wednesday in Purok Manga in Caparan village, Ipil, the capital of Zamboanga Sibugay province.

Ylagan said no arrest was made as the smuggled cigarettes were hastily abandoned by its owner and shipper upon sensing the arrival of the policemen.

He said the personnel of Ipil Municipal Police Station launched the anti-smuggling operation following received report that a shipment of smuggled cigarettes is set to arrive.

He said the confiscated cigarettes worth P850,000 were placed under the custody of the Ipil Municipal Police Station for proper disposition.

He said an investigation is ongoing to determine who are behind and the owner of the smuggled cigarettes. (SunStar Zamboanga)