Some P6,099,887.52 worth of smuggled cigarettes were confiscated by the authorities during an anti-smuggling campaign in Zamboanga Peninsula and Zamboanga City on 11 and 13 of July, respectively.

According to the Philippine National Police (PNP), the operations led to the arrest of three individuals.

On 11 July at Barangay Baclay in the town of Tukuran, Zamboanga Del Sur, personnel of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Zamboanga del Sur Field Unit, in coordination with Tukuran Municipal Police Station and other operating units, intercepted smuggled cigarettes transported in the area.

Two individuals were arrested during the operation. Authorities recovered around 50 master cases of cigarettes with an estimated value of P2,850,000.00. The suspects and seized items were immediately brought under proper custody for documentation and filing of appropriate charges.

On a follow up operation conducted on 13 June at Barangay San Roque in Zamboanga City, the CIDG Zamboanga City Field Unit, Police Station 7 of the Zamboanga City Police Office, and the Bureau of Customs Region IX uncovered 22 master cases of smuggled cigarettes and a white minivan believed to have been used in transporting the contraband.

A 25-year-old Filipino man was arrested in the operation. The total value of seized items in this operation was placed at P3,249,887.52.

PNP Chief, Police General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr., commended the operating units for their sustained vigilance and coordination, highlighting the importance of continuous operations against smuggling and other economic crimes.

All arrested individuals are now under the custody of concerned units while appropriate charges are being prepared. The confiscated evidence has been turned over to proper authorities for further investigation and legal disposition.