P9.8 Million Worth of Smuggled Cigarettes Seized in Zamboanga

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — Illegal cigarettes with a combined value of P9.8 million were seized in separate anti-smuggling operations in this city on Thursday. Members of the 2nd Zamboanga City Mobile Force Company were conducting maritime patrol around Layag-Layag Island in Barangay Talon-Talon when they spotted a suspicious motorized boat. The team intercepted the boat and found it loaded with 2,182 reams of assorted cigarette brands with an estimated value of P6.5 million. Crewmembers Omar Abdullah and Ismar Hussin were arrested after they failed to show documents for the transport of their cargo. Meanwhile, another shipment of illegal cigarettes valued at P3.3 million was seized by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) from a commercial ferry docked at a wharf in this city yesterday. The PCG said the ferry, which came from Jolo, Sulu, was carrying more than 1,000 reams of smuggled cigarettes concealed in several pieces of luggage. No one claimed ownership of the cigarettes, prompting the PCG to coordinate with other authorities to investigate the matter. These seizures are part of ongoing efforts by authorities to curb cigarette smuggling in the Philippines, particularly through routes involving the southern island provinces. Smuggled cigarettes are often sold at significantly lower prices than legal ones due to high tobacco taxes in the country, impacting legitimate businesses and government revenue.