Smuggled cigarettes seized in Cavite

MANILA, Philippines —  Illegal cigarettes valued at P53.98 million were seized in an anti-smuggling operation in Ternate, Cavite on Wednesday.

The contraband was found in three closed vans that were pulled over during a routine operation of the Highway Patrol Group along Governor’s Drive in Barangay Poblacion 1A, according to Philippine National Police chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr.

Fourteen people were held after police found 793 boxes of illegal cigarettes in their vehicles.

The contraband was turned over to the Bureau of Customs for proper disposition.

Meanwhile, in Zamboanga City, smuggled cigarettes valued at 18.67 million were seized by the maritime  police.

Members of the 2nd Zamboanga City Mobile Force Company (2ZCMFC) arrested eight crewmembers of a motorized vessel  that was intercepted near the coast of Barangay Sinunuc.

The team found on the boat 124 master cases and 35 reams of cigarettes without tax stamps.

The suspects failed to show documents for the transport of their cargo.

The contraband and the suspects were brought to the headquarters of the 2ZCMFC.