DAPITAN CITY, Zamboanga del Norte — The PNP-Maritime Group has intensified its crackdown on cigarette smuggling after intercepting more than ₱300,000 worth of illicit cigarettes in two separate operations in Dapitan City.
The joint efforts, conducted by the Zamboanga del Norte Maritime Police Station (MARPSTA) and port authorities, were carried out in compliance with Republic Act 10863 (Customs Modernization and Tariff Act) and Republic Act 10643 (Graphic Health Warning Law).
Suspicious Boxes on Ceres Bus Reveal Major Haul
During a checkpoint along the Nautical Highway in Barangay San Vicente, operatives flagged a Ceres Bus Liner traveling from Zamboanga City to Bacolod City after noticing several suspicious boxes inside the luggage compartment.
Initial documentation showed the packages were declared as containing Maggi Kari and tube skirts (malong), loaded by an unidentified individual in Barangay Mercedes, Zamboanga City. But upon inspection, authorities uncovered a major shipment of smuggled cigarettes:
- 210 reams of Busqo cigarettes worth ₱239,810
- 30 reams of Champion cigarettes worth ₱34,230
The total value of the first seizure reached ₱273,840.
Second Operation Nets More Contraband at Dapitan Port
In another operation near the Port of Dapitan, MARPSTA personnel together with the PPA Port Police inspected another Ceres Bus Liner from Zamboanga City en route to Cubao.
A box labeled as containing Sandawit Cooking Oil caught the attention of operatives due to a partially exposed “Champion” marking. With the bus conductor’s consent, authorities opened the box and discovered more undeclared smuggled cigarettes.
The sender falsely declared the contents as “snack food items.” The inspection led to the confiscation of:
- 25 reams of Champion cigarettes valued at ₱28,525
Evidence Under Custody; PNP-Maritime Vows Sustained Enforcement
All seized contraband from the two successful operations are now under the custody of Zamboanga del Norte MARPSTA for proper documentation and disposition.
The PNP-Maritime Group reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening enforcement against smuggling, noting that illicit cigarettes not only evade taxes but also undermine public health laws and threaten legitimate local industries.
Authorities said the operations highlight the need for continued vigilance at transport terminals and ports, especially as smugglers increasingly exploit inter-island bus routes to move contraband across regions.