AUTHORITIES have arrested a laborer and seized over P1.7 million worth of contrabands as the government’s campaign against smuggling continues in Zamboanga Peninsula, the police said Friday, January 17, 2025.
The arrest of the laborer and confiscation of more than P1.7 million worth of contrabands was the third anti-smuggling haul by policemen during the week in Zamboanga Peninsula.
Police Lieutenant Colonel Helen Galvez, Police Regional Office-Zamboanga Peninsula information officer, said the laborer aged 38, was arrested in an intelligence-driven operation around 10:50 p.m. Wednesday, January 15, in Baganipay village, Talusan, Zamboanga Sibugay.
Galvez said seized from the laborer were some 30 master cases of smuggled cigarettes worth P1,719,000.
She said the suspect was taken to the municipal police station of Talusan for further investigation while the confiscated smuggled cigarettes was turned over to the Bureau of Customs (BOC) for proper disposition.
She said the suspect was arrested in anti-smuggling operation launched by policemen backed by soldiers and BOC operatives.
“This operation highlights the effectiveness of coordinated efforts between local law enforcement, the Philippine Army, and the Bureau of Customs in protecting the community from illicit trade and safeguarding public welfare,” Galvez said in a statement.
Wednesday’s arrest and confiscation was the third during the week in Zamboanga Peninsula.
The first was the arrest of two persons and confiscation of P7.79 million worth of smuggled cigarettes on Tuesday, January 14 in Poblacion village, Leon B. Postigo, Zamboanga del Norte.
The second was the arrest of one person and the confiscation of one person and the confiscation of P5.8 million worth of smuggled cigarettes on Wednesday morning also in Poblacion village, Leon Postigo town.
Galvez said the PRO-Zamboanga Peninsula together with its law enforcement partners continues to remain vigilant and committed to combating smuggling activities in Zamboanga Peninsula. (SunStar Zamboanga)
