A GOVERNMENT task force seized a shipment of P1.2 million worth of smuggled cigarettes in an intelligence-driven anti-smuggling operation in Zamboanga City.

Lieutenant General Cirilito Sobejana, Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) chief, said the shipment of some 50 master cases worth P1.2 million was seized Wednesday aboard a Bongo-type truck that disembarked from a Roll-on, Roll-off (RoRo) vessel that had just arrived at the local port coming from Jolo, Sulu.

Sobejana said the driver of the truck, Jalon Sawabi Kalingalan, was also arrested and placed under investigation.

He said the Task Force Aduana carried out the anti-smuggling operation following a complaint filed by the Japan Tobacco Corporation.

The Task Force Aduana is an anti-smuggling group organized by the government which is composed of Bureau of Customs (BOC), Joint Task Force Zamboanga, Philippine Coast Guard, and Port Police.

The confiscated cigarettes carries the brand names of Canon, Menthol, and Astro white and were mixed with other cargoes.

Sobejana said the confiscated items and vehicle were turned over to the BOC for inventory and proper disposition. (SunStar Zamboanga)