P2.29 million smuggled cigarettes seized in Zamboanga del Sur

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — Smuggled cigarettes worth P2.29 million were seized during a police operation in Tukuran town in Zamboanga del Sur on Tuesday.

A team led by members of the Maritime Police was conducting sea patrol at past 3 a.m. when they spotted a group of men unloading several master cases of cigarettes from a motorized boat docked in Barangay Sogod, according to Brig. Gen. Bowenn Joey Masauding, Zamboanga peninsula police director.

The men fled in different directions when they saw the police patrol craft approaching.

“The team pursued, but failed to catch any of the men,” Masauding said.

Recovered from the scene were 40 master cases of smuggled cigarettes with an estimated market value of P2.29 million and the motorized boat.

The items were turned over to the Bureau of Customs for proper disposition.