Smuggled cigarettes seized in Cotabato

COTABATO CITY, Philippines — Smuggled cigarettes with an estimated market value of P1.4 million have been seized in a police operation in this city.

The contraband will be turned over to the Bureau of Customs this week, according to Brig. Gen. Allan Nobleza, Bangsamoro police director.

Among the items seized during a nighttime operation conducted over the weekend were 74 master cases or boxes of Fort brand cigarettes that were allegedly smuggled from Indonesia.

The boxes of cigarettes were found abandoned along the riverbank in Barangay Kalanganan. 

The cigarettes were abandoned by boatmen from Zamboanga del Sur, who sensed the arrival of the police.

Authorities said they received reports from civilian informants about the arrival of the contraband in the area.

Witnesses said they heard the boatmen speaking in Tausug.