P8.1 million smuggled cigarettes seized in Zamboanga del Sur

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — A delivery van loaded with 215 master cases of smuggled cigarettes worth P8.1 million was seized in Kumalarang, Zamboanga del Sur on Tuesday.

The smuggled cigarettes were in a van driven by Shariff de Jesus, 30, who was arrested along with Adrian de Jesus, 19, and Lauro Gonzales at a police checkpoint.

Brig. Gen. Niel Alisangan, Zamboanga peninsula police director, said the driver and his companions failed to present pertinent documents to transport the cigarettes.

Police said the smuggled cigarettes were unloaded in this city and transported by land to avoid detection by authorities.

The seized smuggled cigarettes, delivery van and the apprehended persons were brought to the Kumalarang police station for documentation and inventory. They were later turned over to the Bureau of Customs for the filing of charges and forfeiture procedures.