Police Regional Office (PRO) 9, under the leadership of Police Brigadier General Elmer E. Ragay, has intensified its campaign against smuggling through swift checkpoint operations and strengthened coordination with the Bureau of Customs (BOC), resulting in the interception and recovery of suspected illicit cigarettes worth approximately ₱17.65 million in separate incidents in Zamboanga City and Zamboanga del Norte on October 28, 2026.
In Zamboanga City, personnel of Zamboanga City Police Station (ZCPS) 13, in coordination with the 2nd Zamboanga City Mobile Force Company Seaborne, swiftly intercepted a white Isuzu Elf closed van at a checkpoint along Baliwasan Seaside, Barangay San Jose Gusu, at approximately 1:27 AM on October 28, 2026, acting on information from the City Drug Enforcement Unit and City Intelligence Unit, and discovered suspected smuggled cigarettes after the driver failed to present supporting cargo documents.
The authority subsequently coordinated with the BOC for proper examination, inventory, and marking of the seized items. The inventory yielded 102 master cases of President Red cigarettes valued at ₱15,717,139.20.
The closed van, estimated to be worth ₱100,000.00, was also turned over to the BOC. The arrested individual was placed under the custody of ZCPS 13 pending the filing of the appropriate complaint under Republic Act No. 12022, or the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act, as applicable.
Meanwhile, at approximately 2:30 PM on the same day, personnel of the 2nd Zamboanga del Norte Provincial Mobile Force Company, while conducting Oplan Sita at the Gatas Border Control Point in Barangay Gatas, Kalawit, Zamboanga del Norte, received a voluntary turnover of suspicious baggage from the driver and conductor of a Ceres bus traveling from Zamboanga City to Bacolod City.
The bus crew reported the baggage after becoming suspicious of its contents. They informed police personnel that they did not know the identities of the individuals who loaded the baggage in Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay, or its intended recipient.
Upon inspection, the baggage was found to contain 500 reams of suspected smuggled Bosque cigarettes, with an estimated market value of ₱1,930,000.00, based on the BOC Standard Price Index.
The operating personnel secured the recovered cigarettes and coordinated with the BOC for the conduct of an inventory and proper disposition. The items remain under the custody of the 2nd ZNPMFC pending appropriate action, while the bus and its crew were allowed to proceed after the necessary procedures.
The two incidents resulted in the recovery of 102 master cases and 500 reams of suspected illicit cigarettes, with a combined estimated value of ₱17,647,139.20, excluding the value of the intercepted vehicle.
“Every timely report and swift police response matters in preventing the movement of illicit goods in our communities. We will continue to strengthen our intelligence-driven operations and coordination with the BOC and other partner agencies to ensure that suspected smuggling activities are addressed promptly and in accordance with the law. We also encourage the public to remain vigilant and cooperate with authorities in protecting our communities and lawful commerce,” PBGen Ragay said.
PRO 9 remains relentless in its campaign against smuggling, illegal trade, and all forms of criminality. In line with the Chief, PNP mantra, “Sa Bagong PNP para sa Bagong Pilipinas: Serbisyong Mabilis, Tapat, at Nararamdaman,” PRO 9 will continue to strengthen law enforcement operations and strategic partnerships to uphold the rule of law and ensure a safer, more secure, and economically stable Region 9. (PIO, PRO 9)
