Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Police General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. has ordered all coastal police units to intensify maritime patrols following the seizure of approximately ₱6.5 million worth of suspected smuggled cigarettes near Zamboanga City.
The directive follows a Thursday, August 6 operation by the 2nd Zamboanga City Mobile Force Company (ZCMFC) Seaborne Unit, which intercepted a motorized boat carrying roughly 2,182 reams of illicit cigarettes near Layag-Layag Island in Barangay Talon-Talon. Authorities arrested two residents of Barangay Rio Hondo after they failed to present valid shipping or transport documents for the cargo, which consisted of brands including Cannon, Berlin, and Bravo.
Nartatez noted that the interdiction aligns with the mandate of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. and Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla to bolster border security and curb contraband trade.
“I have directed all maritime and coastal police units to intensify seaborne patrols and focus not only on intercepting illegal shipments but also on identifying and filing cases against the financiers, organizers, and other personalities behind these smuggling operations. We will sustain intelligence-driven operations to disrupt the entire supply chain,” Nartatez said.
Following the bust, officers towed the vessel to the 2nd ZCMFC Wharf along R.T. Lim Boulevard in Barangay Baliwasan. The PNP is collaborating with the Bureau of Customs Port of Zamboanga and Zamboanga City Police Station 12 (Central) to complete the inventory and marking of the confiscated goods.
Nartatez reiterated the PNP’s commitment to dismantling illicit trade networks nationwide.
“We will continue to pursue those involved in smuggling wherever they operate, whether on land or at sea. We will work closely with other government agencies to hold everyone involved accountable, from transporters to financiers, because smuggling undermines legitimate businesses and deprives the government of much-needed revenues,” he said.