Authorities seize over P50M worth of smuggled cigarettes in 3 days

Authorities in Zamboanga City and Misamis Oriental have seized over P50 million worth of smuggled cigarettes in three separate operations over a three-day period.

The largest seizure involved 445 boxes of Fort cigarettes, valued at P25.5 million, discovered abandoned on a boat near Sacol and Manalipa Islands.

In Zamboanga City, another operation on September 11 resulted in the confiscation of 282 boxes of smuggled cigarettes worth approximately P16.2 million and the arrest of a police officer and a driver.

A separate operation in Laguindingan, Misamis Oriental on September 10 yielded hundreds of boxes of illicit cigarettes amounting to P9.2 million, though the individuals involved escaped.

In a separate incident, the NBI and BIR seized P870,000 worth of imported cigarettes in Nueva Ecija on September 9.

The operation in Nueva Ecija led to the confiscation of 58 boxes of assorted imported cigarette brands and a criminal complaint is being prepared against Jonifer Lajom for violating the National Internal Revenue Code.