PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur — Two individuals were apprehended after maritime police intercepted a motorized pumpboat allegedly carrying illicit cigarettes in the waters of Yllana Bay off Barangay White Beach, Pagadian City, early September 6, 2026.
Personnel of the Zamboanga del Sur Maritime Police Station (ZDS MARPSTA), under the leadership of PCPT Mardizon H. Perie, conducted the interception as part of intensified law enforcement operations against smuggling and other forms of illegal maritime trade.
Authorities said the operation stemmed from information provided by a verified informant concerning a watercraft allegedly transporting contraband from the Municipality of Picong in Lanao del Sur toward neighboring areas.
At approximately 3:45 a.m., ZDS MARPSTA personnel spotted a wooden motorized pumpboat while conducting maritime operations in the area. The vessel was intercepted, and a visual inspection reportedly revealed several master cases or boxes of suspected illicit cigarettes loaded in plain view.
The individuals aboard the pumpboat were unable to present valid shipping manifests or other supporting legal documents covering the cigarette shipment, according to police.
Initial verification further indicated that the cigarette packs allegedly did not bear the required Graphic Health Warnings (GHWs). Authorities said the absence of the mandatory warnings constitutes a violation of Section 6 of Republic Act No. 10643, or the Graphic Health Warnings on Tobacco Products Act.
Following the interception, the two suspects, together with the seized pumpboat and suspected illicit cigarette cargo, were taken into police custody for proper documentation, inventory and processing.
Authorities are expected to determine the full nature and extent of the alleged violation as the case undergoes further investigation and appropriate charges are prepared against those responsible.
The operation highlights the continuing use of maritime routes in the movement of suspected contraband in parts of Mindanao, prompting law enforcement agencies to strengthen monitoring of coastal waters and waterways frequently used for the transportation of undocumented goods.
ZDS MARPSTA said it remains committed to protecting the maritime boundaries of Zamboanga del Sur and intensifying efforts against illegal trade, smuggling and other illicit activities in Yllana Bay and surrounding waters.
The latest interception also underscores the importance of intelligence-driven maritime enforcement, particularly in coastal areas where illegal shipments can potentially be moved outside conventional land-based checkpoints.
Further details, including the identities of the apprehended individuals, the brands and quantity of cigarettes seized, and the specific charges to be filed, were not immediately provided by authorities.