P5.7 million worth of smuggled cigarettes seized in Zamboanga City

This photo provided by the Philippine National Police-Public Information Office shows the suspected smuggled cigarettes intercepted Sunday, May 22, 2022, at a checkpoint in Barangay Upper Calarian in Zamboanga.

MANILA, Philippines — Members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) have intercepted suspected smuggled cigarettes worth P5.7 million at a checkpoint in Zamboanga City.

Information shared by the PNP-Public Information Office showed that the cigarettes on load a Mitsubishi Canter truck were seized at a checkpoint in Barangay Upper Calarian on Sunday, May 22.

At least 164 master cases of undocumented cigarettes bearing the brand name “Commando” were obtained while driver Hadji Aijub Cuevas, 56, and truckman Sattal Tantung Sarabi, 36 were arrested, according to police.

PNP officer-in-charge Lt. Gen. Vicente Danao Jr. said that the items were turned over to the Bureau of Customs as an investigation is ongoing to identify the people behind the attempt to transport the smuggled goods.

“The confiscated contrabands were turned over to the Bureau of Customs for proper disposition. We laud the alertness and good sense of judgment displayed by our police personnel,” Danao added.

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