P43 million smuggled cigarettes seized in Zamboanga
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines —Smuggled cigarettes worth more than P43 million have been seized from two motorized boats that were intercepted in the waters off this city.
Up to 749 master cases and 98 reams of cigarettes were found loaded on Malaysian-style boats that were spotted near Sta. Cruz Island on Wednesday, authorities said.
Members of the seaborne unit of the 2nd Zamboanga City Mobile Force Company were patrolling along the coastline when they spotted two boats sailing near the island, according to Col. Fidel Fortaleza Jr., chief of the Zamboanga City police.
The team intercepted and inspected the boats, and arrested six crewmembers who failed to present documents for their cargoes.
The crewmembers said they do not know the owners of the cigarettes.The team coordinated with members of the local police, which conducted an inventory of the contraband.
The cigarettes, which reportedly came from Sulu,were turned over to the Bureau of Customs for proper disposition.
The crewmembers were taken to the police station for questioning, Fortaleza said.
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