MALANGAS, Zamboanga Sibugay — Authorities scored another significant victory in the campaign against smuggling after a joint law enforcement operation led to the arrest of a suspect and the seizure of more than ₱1.14 million worth of smuggled cigarettes in Malangas town late Sunday night, June 14.
The operation, conducted at around 11:10 p.m. in Purok Bagong Silang, Barangay Looc Tuburan, was carried out through coordinated intelligence efforts spearheaded by the Malangas Municipal Police Station (MPS) under the supervision of the Zamboanga Sibugay Police Provincial Office (ZSBPPO), headed by Provincial Director PCOL Barnard Danie V. Dasugo.
The successful operation was jointly undertaken by personnel from the Provincial Intelligence Unit (PIU) of ZSBPPO, Regional Intelligence Unit 9 (RIU9), 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company (PMFC), 903rd Regional Mobile Force Battalion 9 (RMFB 9), and the Bureau of Customs–Zamboanga Peninsula (BOC-ZAMPEN).
Authorities arrested one suspect and confiscated a large volume of smuggled cigarettes believed to have been illegally transported into the province. Seized during the operation were 20 master cases of assorted cigarette brands, including five master cases of Stone Menthol Cigarettes, six master cases of U2 Full Flavour Taste Guard Cigarettes, five master cases of Capital Menthol Cigarettes, two master cases of U2 Classic Cigarettes, and two master cases of YS Menthol Plus Cigarettes.
Based on the Bureau of Customs’ standard valuation, the confiscated cigarettes have an estimated market value of ₱1,146,000.
Also recovered from the scene was an orange-colored pump boat without an engine, believed to have been used in the transport of the contraband. The vessel was valued at approximately ₱50,000.
Police said the operation was the result of sustained intelligence monitoring and inter-agency coordination aimed at disrupting the entry and distribution of smuggled goods in coastal communities of Zamboanga Sibugay.
Following the operation, the arrested suspect and all confiscated items were brought to the Malangas Municipal Police Station for documentation and inventory procedures. The seized cigarettes and pump boat are set to be turned over to the Bureau of Customs for proper disposition and the filing of appropriate charges.
The ZSBPPO emphasized that the operation highlights the government’s intensified efforts to combat smuggling activities that deprive the state of revenues and undermine legitimate businesses.
Provincial Director Dasugo commended the participating units for their coordinated action and reiterated the police force’s commitment to strengthening border and coastal security, particularly against the illegal transport of untaxed and smuggled products.
Authorities are continuing their investigation to identify other individuals who may be involved in the smuggling network and to determine the origin and intended destination of the seized contraband.