ZAMBOANGA CITY — Operatives from the Bureau of Customs Zamboanga City and the regional police arrested two individuals who were caught transporting at least 207 master cases of smuggled cigarettes with an estimated worth of P9.315 million.

BoC Zamboanga City district collector Segundo Barte Jr. said that police and BoC agents intercepted a closed truck van loaded with contraband at Baliwasan Moret, Barangay Baliwasan here on Wednesday.

The operation stemmed from information received by authorities from a concerned resident, saying that the road is being utilized to transport contraband by smugglers here.

Authorities then formed a team to intercept cargo trucks and other public and private utility vehicles utilizing the inner road of the village heading to the national highways and a few hours after the team arrived at the area, they spotted and intercepted a white closed Elf van.

It was discovered that the van was loaded with 207 master cases of Arthur brand of imported cigarettes and when asked for documents for the cargo's transport, the driver — identified as Nashry Sampang Sadalani and his helper Alhamer Pala Asid — failed to show any documents which led to their arrest.

Zamboanga City Mayor John Dalipe has earlier ordered the police to assist the BoC in its task on border control.

Dalipe also ordered the police to check and confiscate smuggled cigarettes being sold by some stalls at the two main public markets here.