In a significant crackdown on illegal trade, authorities in Zamboanga del Norte arrested two individuals and seized smuggled cigarettes valued at PHP7.79 million. The operation took place in Leon B. Postigo on Tuesday, marking a notable effort by the local police to curb smuggling activities in the region.
Brig. Gen. Roel Rodolfo, the newly appointed director of the Police Regional Office in Zamboanga Peninsula (PRO-9), announced that the suspects, aged 29 and 47, were caught during a checkpoint operation at 4 p.m. in Barangay Poblacion. The Zamboanga del Norte Provincial Intelligence Unit, along with local police, intercepted a truck carrying 136 master cases of assorted cigarettes that lacked the required graphic health warnings, thus violating Republic Act 10643.
Rodolfo emphasized the importance of such operations in combating illegal trade and protecting public health. He stated, “The successful operation highlights the continuous efforts of PRO-9 to combat illegal trade activities and protect public health by ensuring that tobacco products comply with existing laws.” He also urged the public to report any illegal activities to the nearest police station to help maintain community safety.
The confiscated cigarettes are set to be handed over to the Bureau of Customs for further action. This recent seizure is the second anti-smuggling operation in Zamboanga del Norte this year and the largest to date. Earlier on January 7, a 20-year-old was arrested in Dipolog City with smuggled cigarettes worth PHP687,600.