P2.2-million smuggled cigarettes seized in Zambo

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — Joint law enforcement and security forces seized 148 boxes of assorted smuggled cigarettes worth some P2.2 million Saturday dawn aboard a commercial vessel inside the port here, according to authorities.

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency 9, backed by the Joint Task Force Zamboanga (JTFZ), the Bureau of Customs and the Intelligence Service tracked down the smuggling of cigarettes aboard M/V Kristel Jane 3 which came from Jolo, Sulu.

During the initial inspection of the vessel, which arrived 5 a.m. Saturday, the contraband was not immediately detected as the boxes were hidden at the engine deck compartments.

The PDEA K9 unit then conducted search on the boxes of cigarettes to determine whether it contain illegal drugs.

A Customs official said that the smuggled cigarettes possibly came from Malaysia and were smuggled in the country through Sulu.

The Customs bureau said no one appeared to claim the contraband.

According to the BOC, a box of imported cigarettes costs P15,000 to P25,000 depending on the brand.

The JTFZ troopers from the 11th Infantry Battalion immediately hauled off the contraband and turned it over to the custody of the BOC for proper disposition.