P.5 million smuggled cigarettes seized in Zamboanga

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — Two vans carrying assorted brands of smuggled cigarettes with an estimated value of P510,000 were seized at a checkpoint in this city on Saturday. 

Personnel of the 74th Infantry Battalion and police Station 4 set up the checkpoint in Barangay Culianan after receiving intelligence reports that smuggled cigarettes would be transported to Barangay Sangali. 

A Toyota Hi Ace driven by Kelly Graciano-Alviar was found loaded with 13 master cases of smuggled cigarettes while a Nissan Urvan driven by Elmer Alajero-delos Santos was loaded with four master cases.  

The vans and smuggled cigarettes were placed under police custody for disposal to the Bureau of Customs.