Police photo shows the seized smuggled cigarettes from two speedboats that came from Sulu’s Jolo town on Oct. 8, 2021.CONTRIBUTED PHOTOZAMBOANGA CITY: Police seized 137 boxes of smuggled cigarettes in separate operations off the coast of Zamboanga City, officials said on Saturday. Zamboanga police chief Col. Rexmel Reyes said police forces intercepted two speedboats, loaded with cigarettes, near Manalipa Island on Friday. According to Reyes, the operation yielded illegal cigarettes with brands such as San Marino, Union, Cannon and Fort worth nearly P4.8 million. Reyes said the contraband was bound for Cotabato City, but he did not say whether the untaxed cigarettes came from abroad or not. "The ZCPO (Zamboanga City Police Office) will continue its strict border control maritime operations in the fight against criminality, illegal drugs, smuggling and all forms of illegal activities," Reyes continued.

Source: Manila Times October 09, 2021 16:52 UTC