ZAMBOANGA City – Authorities have arrested a boatman and seized about P8.7 million worth of smuggled cigarettes off Zamboanga Sibugay province, the police said Friday.
The Zamboanga Sibugay Maritime Police Station (MARPSTA) identified the arrested boatman as a certain Al, 31, of Zone 2, Barangay Cawit, Zamboanga City.
The police said the operatives launched a seaborne patrol after receiving an intelligence report that a motorboat loaded with contraband was scheduled to arrive in Ipil, the capital town of Zamboanga Sibugay province, on Thursday.
“The operatives spotted a gray motorized banca loaded with boxes. Upon their approach to conduct a visual inspection, it was observed in plain view that the boxes contained master cases of suspected illicit cigarettes,” the Zamboanga Sibugay MARPSTA said in its report.
“When the operatives asked for documents to prove the legal transportation of the cargo, the boatman failed to produce any documents.”
Seized from the suspect were 150 master cases of smuggled cigarettes and the motorboat.
The suspect and the confiscated items were brought to the Zamboanga Sibugay MARPSTA for proper documentation and disposition. (PNA)
