KALAWIT, Zamboanga del Norte — Authorities arrested an active police officer and a businessman after intercepting a vehicle loaded with more than ₱1.8 million worth of suspected smuggled cigarettes during a checkpoint operation in Barangay Gatas, Kalawit, Zamboanga del Norte, late Friday night, July 31.
The operation was conducted at around 10:05 p.m. at the Border Control Point by personnel of the 2nd Platoon, Zamboanga del Norte 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Company (PMFC), led by PSSg. Rene Sibug Jr. under the direct supervision of PLtCol. Edwin D. Verzon, Force Commander. The checkpoint was carried out in coordination with the Kalawit Municipal Police Station and the Provincial Intelligence Unit (PIU).
Authorities identified the suspects as a 34-year-old Patrolman, a Police Non-Commissioned Officer currently assigned to Police Station 10 of the Zamboanga City Police Office, and his companion identified only by the alias “Aziz,” a 36-year-old businessman and resident of Zamboanga City.
According to the police report, the suspects were traveling aboard a white Nissan van when law enforcement officers observed suspicious behavior from the driver while approaching the checkpoint.
Instead of slowing down and stopping for inspection, the driver allegedly accelerated in an apparent attempt to evade authorities. The responding officers immediately pursued the vehicle and successfully intercepted it a short distance from the checkpoint.
A subsequent inspection of the van led to the discovery of 1,630 reams of suspected smuggled Champion cigarettes. Based on the Bureau of Customs (BOC) Standard Price Index, the seized cigarettes have an estimated market value of ₱1,867,980.
During the operation, authorities also recovered from “Aziz” a 9mm Taurus G3 pistol, three magazines, 35 rounds of live ammunition, as well as the firearm’s pertinent documents and the suspect’s driver’s license.
Both suspects were taken into custody and, together with the confiscated cigarettes and other recovered items, were brought to the Kalawit Municipal Police Station for proper documentation and disposition.
Meanwhile, the Zamboanga del Norte 2nd PMFC has already coordinated with the Bureau of Customs for the official inventory and verification of the confiscated cigarettes as authorities prepare the appropriate charges against those involved.
The arrest of an active member of the Philippine National Police has drawn attention to the continuing campaign against cigarette smuggling and other forms of economic sabotage in the region, as authorities intensify border control operations to curb the illegal transport of untaxed goods across Mindanao.