ZAMBOANGA CITY — A coordinated anti-smuggling operation in Sitio Bactus, Barangay Talabaan, Zamboanga City, led to the arrest of a police officer and his civilian cohort, and the seizure of ₱16.1 million worth of smuggled Indonesian cigarettes in the early hours of Thursday.
The operation, mounted by ZCPS4 intelligence personnel under PCPT Rene D. Ceniza, OIC, in collaboration with units of the 1st SOU-MG, ZC MARPSTA, SOT-RMFB9, S3 Battalion RMFB9, and TSC RMFB9, was carried out following intelligence reports of large-scale cigarette trafficking in the area.
Arrested were Patrolman Berhamin Jadjuli Taji, 43, married, a member of the Philippine National Police assigned in Jolo, Sulu, identified as the owner of the smuggled goods, and Ernesto Sandi Mari-as, 55, married, a resident of Lumiyap, Barangay Divisoria, Zamboanga City, who served as the driver.
Confiscated from the suspects was an Isuzu ELF closed van (plate number KBF 2276), registered under the name of Rafel John Tupaz Deza, used to transport the contraband. Inside the van were 282 master cases of assorted cigarettes with an estimated total value of ₱16,158,600. The breakdown of the seized items is as follows:
- 48 master cases of Bravo Red
- 21 master cases of Champion
- 30 master cases of Vess
- 25 master cases of Astro
- 28 master cases of Alpen
- 65 master cases of D & J Red
- 8 master cases of Fort
- 29 master cases of D & J Plus
- 8 master cases of Green Hill
The haul was confirmed by local officials and members of the Regional Peace and Order Council-9 during a briefing later that day.
Police Regional Office-9 director Brig. Gen. Eleazar Matta said the arrest demonstrates the government’s resolve to combat smuggling, even when law enforcers themselves are implicated.
“This operation shows that no one is above the law. Even members of the police force who betray their oath by engaging in illegal activities will be held accountable,” Matta stressed, adding that the confiscated contraband and the van have been turned over to the Bureau of Customs for proper disposition.
Both suspects are now detained at ZCPS4 as further investigation is underway.
The arrest of Patrolman Taji underscores the persistent challenges of smuggling in Zamboanga Peninsula, where even sworn protectors of the law have been caught fueling the illicit trade that undermines the country’s economy and public trust in law enforcement.