Photo courtesy of PNP
Police confiscated more than Php 51.9 million worth of suspected smuggled cigarettes and arrested five people in separate operations in Zamboanga City and Davao del Norte on July 21.
In Zamboanga City, authorities inspected a parcel initially believed to contain illegal drugs following information received by law enforcement officers.
The search yielded no narcotics, but police found 23 master cases of suspected smuggled cigarettes valued at about Php 1.035 million.
The seized shipment was turned over to the appropriate police unit for documentation and legal disposition.
In Tagum City, joint police units conducted a buy-bust operation that led to the arrest of five suspects and the recovery of 2,038 master cases of cigarettes.
The seized tobacco products were estimated to be worth Php 50.95 million.
Authorities also confiscated vehicles, mobile phones and marked money allegedly used in the transaction, while charges were being prepared against the suspects.
PNP chief Gen. Jose Nartatez Jr. said the operations reflected intensified intelligence gathering and inter-agency coordination aimed at protecting government revenue and legitimate businesses from smuggling.
