TWO people were arrested while some P721,000 worth of smuggled cigarettes were seized in a law enforcement operation in the province of Zamboanga del Sur, the police reported Tuesday, May 16, 2023.
Police Colonel Diomarie Albarico, Zamboanga del Sur police director, identified the arrested suspects as Ajis Ismael Hajin, 23, driver; and Aziz Ebeng Ismula, 24, owner of smuggled cigarettes. Both are residents of Hanapi Drive in Kasanyangan, Zamboanga City.
Albarico said the two were arrested around 8:30 a.m. Monday, May 15, in Purok 5, Damit village, Bayog, Zamboanga del Sur.
He said policemen were conducting checkpoint when they flagged down an L-300 vehicle driven by Hajin with Ismula as his passenger.
When inspected, Albarico said the vehicle was found to be loaded with some 1,030 reams of cigarettes worth P721,000.
Albarico said the two were arrested and the cargo seized when the two failed to present pertinent documents of the merchandize they were transporting.
He said the two arrested persons and confiscated pieces of evidence were brought to Bayog Municipal Police Station for documentation and proper disposition. (SunStar Zamboanga)