P2.1 million smuggled cigarettes seized in Zamboanga

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — Smuggled cigarettes worth P2.1 million were seized by government security forces in this city on Saturday.

Personnel of the Marine Battalion Landing Team 11 and Zamboanga City police conducted a checkpoint following information that an illegal shipment of cigarettes would be transported in Barangay Baliwasan, according to acting city police chief Col. Alexander Lorenzo.

Officers manning the checkpoint pulled over a white Toyota van, which turned out to be loaded with 50 master cases and 50 reams of cigarette brand Fort.

Authorities arrested van driver Almasil Akili, 27, after he failed to present documents for his cargo.

An inventory conducted by the security team and personnel of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) showed the contraband was worth P2.1 million.

The cigarettes as well as the van and the driver were turned over to the BOC for proper disposition.

“The city police will continue to assist the BOC in curbing smuggling activities in this city,” Lorenzo said.