Authorities seized more than P104.6 million worth of suspected smuggled cigarettes in two separate anti-smuggling operations in Zamboanga del Sur and Palawan, the Philippine National Police said.
The operations also led to the arrest of seven individuals for alleged violation of Republic Act No. 10863, or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.
In Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur, Army personnel found abandoned pump boats loaded with suspected smuggled cigarettes during seaborne patrol operations along the shoreline of Purok Tangigue in Barangay White Beach on June 30.
The 53rd Infantry Battalion coordinated with the Pagadian City Police Station, Zamboanga del Sur Maritime Police Station, Zamboanga del Sur Police Intelligence Unit, 902nd Regional Mobile Force Battalion, other AFP personnel, and the Bureau of Customs to recover and transport the items.
Authorities seized 611 master cases of assorted imported cigarettes valued at P96,433,347.92, along with one truck container van.
The cigarettes and truck were turned over to the Bureau of Customs Region IX, while five paddle boats and one motorized pump boat remained under the custody of the 53rd Infantry Battalion, 1st Infantry Division, Philippine Army.
The recovered items were inventoried in the presence of a BOC acting examiner.
In a separate operation on June 29, police and customs authorities arrested seven suspects at King Paradise Island in Barangay Labog, Sofronio Española, Palawan.
The operation was carried out by personnel of the 2nd Special Operations Unit-Maritime Group Balabac Seaborne Company, Provincial Intelligence Unit, Sofronio Española Municipal Police Station, Brooke’s Point Municipal Police Station, 1st Palawan Provincial Mobile Force Company, Peace Security Cluster Aborlan, Bureau of Customs, and RMU-4B Rizal MLET.
Authorities confiscated 6,498 reams of suspected smuggled cigarettes valued at P8,252,460.
The arrested suspects and the seized cigarettes were brought to the Balabac Seaborne Company-Brooke’s Point Annex for documentation and proper disposition.
PNP Chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said the operations were part of intensified enforcement efforts against smuggling and other economic crimes.
“Smuggling fuels illicit trade, deprives the government of lawful revenues, and undermines fair business competition. The PNP will continue to strengthen intelligence-driven enforcement and work closely with partner agencies to stop these illegal activities and ensure that those responsible are held accountable,” Nartatez said.
“Tuloy-tuloy ang aming laban sa smuggling. Makakaasa ang publiko na mananagot ang mga lumalabag sa batas,” he added.