Police have arrested two people and seized some P973,000 worth of smuggled cigarettes in separate anti-smuggling operations in Zamboanga Peninsula and in Soccsksargen, a police official said Tuesday, June 11, 2024.
Of the total amount, P573,000 worth of smuggled cigarettes were seized in Zamboanga Peninsula and the remaining P400,000 in Soccsksargen.
Police Brigadier General Bowenn Joey Masauding of the Police Regional Office (PRO)-Zamboanga Peninsula, said 10 master cases of smuggled cigarettes worth P573,000 were seized at around 9:10 p.m. Monday, June 10, at Block 4 in Baluno village, Isabela City, Basilan.
Masauding said no one was arrested as the alledged owner was not around when the joint team of policemen and Bureau of Customs arrived at Block 4 in Baluno village.He said the seized contraband cigarettes have been safely transferred to the Isabela City Police Station for processing.
Police Brigadier General Percival Augustus Placer, Soccsksargen police director, said two persons were arrested when policemen launched anti-smuggling operation on Friday, June 7, at Sitio Taliac in Kamanga village, Maasim, Sarangani province.
Placer identified the two arrested suspects as alias Mike and alias Jay, all residents of Sision village, Maitum, Sarangani. General Placer said the two tried to escape upon discovering the presence of policemen but were later cornered by the police operatives.