Combined elements of the Bureau of Customs and the Philippine National Police have intercepted off Zamboanga City a motor boat loaded with smuggled cigarettes worth P 4.4 million in Zamboanga.
The composite team conducted a seaborne patrol operation in Barangay Recodo in Zamboanga City and intercepted the watercraft carrying the smuggled cigarettes.
Port of Zamboanga district collector Arthur Sevilla, Jr said the watercraft was manned by a crew of four—three from Barangay Kasanyangan and one from Barangay Southcom, all in Zamboanga City. The boat came from Jolo, Sulu, and was bound for Zamboanga City when it was interdicted.
“When intercepted, no documents were presented to prove it was legally imported cigarettes and their transport to Zamboanga City,” Sevilla said.
The smuggled cigarettes were confiscated pursuant to the “Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA) of 2016,, according Sevilla.
He said the bureau continues to intensify its anti-smuggling operations and remains steadfast in maintaining close coordination with law enforcement agencies.
“The BOC remains committed to spoil and cease smuggling activities in all parts of the country and create a deterrent for the commission of these unscrupulous acts of economic sabotage,” Customs commissioner Bienvenido Rubio said.