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Authorities seized over P6.2 million worth of smuggled cigarettes in a sea patrol operation at the coast of Manalipa Island in Zamboanga City, the Philippine National Police said Sunday.
ANTI-SMUGGLING DRIVE. Policemen and Bureau of Customs personnel conduct inventory on the PHP6.2 million worth of smuggled cigarettes seized on Saturday (July 16, 2022) off Zamboanga City. Authorities were conducting anti-smuggling drive when they chanced upon a motorboat manned by seven crew and loaded with smuggled cigarettes.(Photo courtesy of Area Police Command-Western Mindanao) ZAMBOANGA CITY - Policemen together with Bureau of Customs (BOC) operatives have arrested seven persons and seized some PHP6.2 million worth of smuggled cigarettes in an operation off this city. Col. Richard Verceles, operations chief of the Area Police Command-Western Mindanao, said the suspects and the contraband were intercepted around 1 a.m. Saturday near Manalipa Island, this city. Verceles identified the arrested suspected smugglers as Benzar Jajales, 48; Binbin Asiri, 31; Elnejin Asiril, 24; Minkadra Sakili, 39, all residents of Indanan, Sulu; Sherwin Masakin, 39 and Adzmir Bakki, 32, both residents of Pangaturan, Sulu; and, Pajing Muknan, 29, of Parang Sulu. Verceles said the joint team of policemen and BOC operatives were conducting seaborne patrol when they chanced upon "MPB King" motorboat that came from Sulu traveling towards the direction of Zamboanga Sibugay province. He said the motorboat was found to be loaded with 178 master cases of assorted cigarettes, no pertinent documents, and with an estimated market valueof PHP6.2 million. He said the crew members, motorboat, and confiscated cigarettes were turned over to the custody of the BOC for proper disposition. He said that constant seaborne patrol is being conducted near Manalipa as the place serves as a passageway for smugglers coming from Sulu to the other parts of the region and Mindanao. (PNA) }