This photo provided by the Philippine National Police Public Information Office shows the suspected contraband cigarettes intercepted on Sunday, May 22, 2022 at a checkpoint at Barangay Upper Calarian in Zamboanga.
MANILA, Philippines – Members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) intercepted suspected contraband cigarettes worth 5.7 million pesos at a checkpoint in the city of Zamboanga.
Information shared by the PNP-Public Information Office showed that the cigarettes loaded into a Mitsubishi Canter truck were seized at a checkpoint in Barangay Upper Calarian on Sunday May 22.
At least 164 master cases of undocumented cigarettes bearing the “Commando” brand were obtained while driver Hadji Aijub Cuevas, 56, and trucker Sattal Tantung Sarabi, 36, were arrested, police said.
The officer in charge of the PNP, Lt. Gen. Vicente Danao Jr., said the items were turned over to the Customs Office while an investigation is underway to identify the people behind the attempt to transport the contraband goods.
“The confiscated contrabands were handed over to the Customs Office for proper disposal. We commend the vigilance and good judgment demonstrated by our police personnel,” Danao added.
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