ONE person was arrested while a shipment of more than P1 million worth of smuggled cigarettes were seized in the province of Zamboanga del Sur, the police reported Monday, January 23, 2023.

Police Colonel Diomarie Albarico, Zamboanga del Sur police director, identified the arrested person as Ajijul Sabtal, 30, a resident of San Jose Gusu village, Zamboanga City.

Albarico said Sabtal was arrested around 10:55 p.m. Sunday along the highway in Boyugan West village, Kumalarang, Zamboanga del Sur.

Albarico said the personnel of the 2nd Zamboanga del Sur Provincial Mobile Force Company were conducting checkpoint operation when they flagged down a van driven by Sabtal along the highway in Boyugan West.

Upon inspection, the van was found to be loaded with 85 master cases of assorted brands of cigarettes with an estimated worth of P1,035,000 that came from Zamboanga City.

He said the arrested person and confiscated contraband, including the vehicle, were placed under the custody of Kumalarang Municipal Police Station. (SunStar Zamboanga)