AUTHORITIES have arrested eight individuals, including five crewmen of a fishing boat, as they seized more than P16.3 million worth of smuggled cigarettes in anti-smuggling operations in Soccsksargen and Zamboanga Peninsula.
The largest anti-smuggling haul was made Thursday, July 10, in Kalamansig, Sultan Kudarat, which is under the political jurisdiction of Soccsksargen.
The Western Mindanao Naval Command (WMNC) said Saturday, July 12, the sailors aboard BRP-Herminigildo Yurong (PG-906) were conducting maritime law enforcement operation when they intercepted F/B 3 Sisters approximately 40.23 nautical miles northwest of Nara Point, Kalamansig, Sultan Kudarat.
The WMNC said the fishing vessel manned by a five-man crew was found to be loaded with 280 master cases of undocumented cigarettes approximately worth P16,044,000. The vessel was intercepted in coordination with the Bureau of Customs.
The confiscated shipment of contraband was turned over to BOC-Zamboanga City on Friday, July 11, for proper documentation and legal proceedings.
In Zamboanga Peninsula, authorities have arrested alias Antonio, 48, and alias Ryan, 19, while the two were unloading smuggled cigarettes from a cargo truck around 1:45 a.m. Friday, July 11, in San Jose village, Aurora, Zamboanga del Sur.
The police said Saturday, July 12, that the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group operatives have seized from the suspects three master cases and 760 reams of assorted smuggled cigarettes with an estimated market value of P342,000.
The two suspects and all seized items are now under the custody of the Aurora Municipal Police Station for the filing of appropriate charges. (SunStar Zamboanga)