P1.3M smuggled cigarettes seized

Operatives and personnel from Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service and the Enforcement and Security Service Quick Reaction Team immediately seized the contraband.

ZAMBOANGA CITY — Four individuals were arrested by police and Bureau of Customs (BoC) operatives following the seizure of about 30 master cases of assorted brands of smuggled cigarettes worth P1.35 million in Margosatubig town in Zamboanga del Sur.

BoC Zamboanga district collector Segundo Barte Jr. disclosed that police officers from Margosatubig and Customs agents were conducting a joint law enforcement operation at Poblacion in Margosatubig when they intercepted a sports utility vehicle (SUV) at noon on Tuesday.

After an inspection, authorities discovered that it was loaded with 30 master cases of various brands of smuggled cigarettes with an estimated market worth of P1.35 million at a prevailing market price of P45,000 per master case.

The driver — identified as Aljebar Otaw Asbi — failed to show any documentation which prompted the operatives and personnel from Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service and the Enforcement and Security Service Quick Reaction Team to immediately seize the contraband.

The other individuals — identified as Ibrahim Otaw Asbi, Nuruddin Marcampo Udin and Suaris Tara Majid, all residents of Margosatubig town — were also nabbed by authorities.

Among the contraband seized by the operatives were 22 master cases of Astro red cigarettes worth P990,000; six master cases of Astro white worth P 270,000 and two master cases of Fort white worth P90,000.

The four arrested persons and their vehicle, including the seized cigarettes, are now under the custody of Margosatubig Municipal Police Station for documentation.