190 master cases of smuggled cigarettes were seized by the maritime police in Pagadian City on Friday. Photo by Leah Agonoy
PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur – Authorities seized around 190 master cases of contraband cigarettes with an estimated market value of P10.8-million along the Yllana Bay area in Pagadian City on Friday.
Maj. Benzar Mukarram, Zamboanga del Sur maritime police chief, disclosed that they received a report from the locals on the transportation of smuggled cigarettes on board a motorized banca.
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The local maritime police immediately responded and caught up with the banca and arrested six men who identified themselves as residents of Zamboanga City, but remained mum when asked where the items came from and its destination.
The arrested men, along with the smuggled cigarettes and the motorized banca, was temporarily held at the Zamboanga del Sur Maritime Police Station and will later be turned over to the Bureau of Customs, Mukarram said.
Violation of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act or Republic Act No. 10863 will be filed against the six men, he added.