Smuggled cigarettes seized

ZAMBOANGA CITY — Police and military authorities in close coordination with operatives of the Bureau of Customs (BoC) in this city seized 439 master cases of imported smuggled cigarettes with an estimated market value of over P15 million loaded on an eight-wheeler cargo truck bound for Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay province.

BoC Zamboanga City District Collector Segundo Barte Jr. disclosed that the combined authorities seized the smuggled cigarettes estimated to be valued P15,365,000 million at a checkpoint in Barangay Divisoria on Tuesday.

Barte said that the contraband was found loaded on an eight-wheeler cargo truck and was heading to Ipil town in Zamboanga Sibugay province coming from this city.

Initial investigation revealed that the contraband was scheduled for distribution in government markets located in Zamboanga Sibugay province.

Among the imported brands of cigarettes that were seized by government operatives were190 master cases of New Berlin brand, 225 master cases of Fort Cigarettes and 24 master cases Cannon cigarettes.

The driver of the cargo truck, identified as Jereel Hofelina y Morales, of Barangay Talisayan and his truck man Alnasher Arraji y Sakkam, of Barangay San Roque were also questioned by authorities.

He added that the BoC in this city will continue to prohibit the transportation and possession of smuggled cigarettes without the necessary permit issued by the authorities.

Meantime, BoC Commissioner Rey Guerrero has reminded Barte that smuggling of imported goods was his top priority program.