POLICE operatives on checkpoint operation have arrested a business couple and seized some P416,000 worth of undocumented cigarettes in the province of Zamboanga Sibugay, an official said.
Police Colonel Albert Larubis, Zamboanga Sibugay police director, identified the arrested business couple as Gamar Amdad, 28, and his wife, Nurkaida, 28, residents of Purok Jupiter in Bangkerohan village, Ipil.
Larubis said the couple was arrested by operatives of the 1st Zamboanga Sibugay Provincial Mobile Force Company (1ZSPMFC) around 10:30 p.m. Thursday, April 7, in Kauswagan village, Diplahan town.
He said the personnel of the 1ZSPMFC together with the police of Diplahan town were conducting an election checkpoint operation when they flagged down a minivan driven by Gamar.
Larubis said upon inspection, the minivan with no registered plate number was found to be loaded with 11 master cases of Fort and Canon cigarettes and five half-filled master cases of Astro cigarettes with an estimated market value of P416,000.
He said the couple failed to present documents to prove the legality of the shipment of cigarettes.
Larubis said that the couple and the confiscated cigarettes were placed under the temporary custody of 1ZSPMFC prior to turnover to the Bureau of Customs in Pagadian City, Zamboanga Del Sur for proper disposition. (SunStar Zamboanga)