By Liza Jocson and Glazyl Masculino
Law enforcement agencies intercepted more than ₱192 million worth of smuggled cigarettes in separate maritime operations in Sulu and Negros Occidental last week.
In Parang, Sulu, Naval Command Western Mindanao personnel under Naval Task Force 61 stopped a motorized banca on Friday, August 14, and discovered 695 master cases of imported cigarettes valued at ₱171.14 million.
The shipment, vessel, and crew were turned over to the Bureau of Customs at the Zamboanga port.
A day later, on Saturday, August 15, operatives of the PNP Maritime Group’s Fourth Special Operations Unit intercepted another motorized banca in Sipalay City, Negros Occidental, carrying 525 master cases of smuggled cigarettes worth ₱21 million.
Seven suspects — all residents of Zamboanga City — were arrested, including a 48‑year‑old boat captain from Barangay Mampang, a 34‑year‑old man from Barangay Arina Blanco, a 24‑year‑old man from Barangay Mampang, an 18‑year‑old man from Barangay Tonkir, a 52‑year‑old man from Mangaya‑ay, a 27‑year‑old man from Mampang, and a 42‑year‑old man from Liha‑Liha.
They face charges under the Anti‑Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act, the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, and the Graphic Health Warnings Law.
The latest seizures follow a string of anti‑smuggling operations in Negros Island earlier this month: ₱15 million worth of contraband cigarettes confiscated in Dumaguete City on August 5, ₱14.6 million seized in Bago City on August 6, and multiple raids in the first half of the year that netted ₱195 million worth of illicit cigarettes and led to 52 arrests.
In April alone, ₱138.5 million worth of smuggled cigarettes were intercepted within two weeks.
Authorities also dismantled a large‑scale illegal cigarette manufacturing and distribution network in Bago City, arresting 10 Chinese and four Filipino workers and recovering ₱800 million worth of equipment, raw materials, and packaging supplies.
