ZAMBOANGA CITY — Operatives from the Bureau of Customs (BoC) and police in Lanao del Sur seized 20 master cases of assorted brands of smuggled cigarettes worth P900,000 at the shoreline of Biosong in Picong.

Acting Picong Police chief Police Lieutenant Reagan Yap Adap revealed that authorities seized the contraband at Sitio Pimbawangan, Barangay Biosong in Picong town on Wednesday.

Customs Sub-port of Iligan collector Nasrudin Guro led the receipt of the smuggled cigarettes together with the Enforcement and Security Service Sub-port of Iligan and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency representatives.

Guro said the seized smuggled cigarettes will be turned over to the BoC-ESS-Cagayan De Oro District Office for proper disposal.

Smuggling of cigarettes is a violation of Republic Act 9211 or An act regulating the packaging, use, sale, distribution, and advertisements of tobacco products and for other purposes.