P7M in cigarettes smuggled from Indonesia seized in Zambo

ZAMBOANGA CITY—Government security forces intercepted a boat carrying smuggled cigarettes on Wednesday (April 28) off the village of Recodo here.

Lawyer Segundo Sigmundfreud Barte Jr., Customs district collector, said the smuggled cigarettes came from Indonesia and packed in 205 master cases.

These were estimated to be worth around P7 million.

The contraband was loaded into MB Dream Boat, which would have transported it from Sulu to Zamboanga City if not for joint operations of the Customs bureau, Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM) and the Philippine Coast Guard.

The owner of the smuggled cigarettes was identified only as a certain Pao from Sulu. The items were supposed to be received by a certain Hadji Usman when it reached Zamboanga City.

Lt. Chester Ross Cabaltera, NFWM public affairs officer, said the boat had a crew of 10, all of whom were invited for questioning.

The cigarettes bore brands like Cannon, Champion, New Far Gold and New Far Green. It had markings that indicate these were manufactured in the United States.

“Contrabands hardly reach the shores (now),” Barte said.

“If they want to bring imported items inside, traders have to declare and pay the appropriate taxes. Otherwise all these smuggled items will be destroyed,” Barte added.

TSB