CAMP COL ROMEO A. ABENDA, Zamboanga City – Alert personnel of the Police Regional Office 9 again seized contraband cigarettes, worth more than P7.8 million, in separate operations in Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga City, on September 8.
According to PBGen. Elmer Ragay, regional director, two suspects, identified as Elvin Ambali Abdurajak,44 and Hussam Abdulmunap Undali.49, are now facing charges for violating RA 10643 (Graphic Health Warning Law), after being caught with smuggled cigarettes.
In addition, additional charges may be filed after the operatives attempted to bribe them with P100, 000 just to let them pass through the police checkpoint.
According to Ragay, personnel of the 2nd Platoon, 2nd ZNPMFC, guarding the Border Control Point in Barangay Gatas, Kalawit, Zamboanga del Norte, intercepted a dictated operation at the checkpoint led by PSMS Roy B Daluz, under the supervision of PLtCol Edwin Verzon, Force Commander, in collaboration with personnel of the Kalawit MPS.
The operatives intercepted the suspicious vehicle, an NV350 Urvan Nissan with Plate No. GAN 7637, at around 11:50 p.m. and noticed a modified compartment similar to a vehicle previously intercepted for carrying smuggled cigarettes.
When questioned about the contents of the compartment, the driver and the truckman acted suspiciously. They offered a cash bribe worth P100,000.00 in exchange for passing through the checkpoint and admitted to having smuggled cigarettes inside the compartment. At that moment, the operating team found probable cause to search the vehicle.
Upon further inspection and verification of the vehicle, the operations personnel discovered inside the vehicle a total of 1,853 reams of allegedly smuggled New Mega cigarettes with an estimated total value of P7,152,580.00 as assessed by Bureau of Customs personnel led by Bismark J. Schuck III, SG2, together with Paul T. Abatayo, Special Agent.
In a separate operation in Sitio Masipla, Barangay Mampang, Zamboanga City, personnel of Zamboanga City Police Station 12 led by PCpt Frederick Delama, recovered several suspicious abandoned boxes believed to contain illegal cigarettes.
Upon verification and inspection, the operatives positively identified the items as master cases of illegal cigarettes, branded D&J– Thirteen (13) master cases, with an estimated value of P55,000.00 per case, for a total estimated value of P715,000.00.
Thereafter, the operatives searched the surrounding area and attempted to locate any individual who could be questioned regarding the ownership and possession of the said items. However, no one appeared or claimed ownership thereof.
Initial investigation revealed that the illegal cigarettes were allegedly waiting to be transported and distributed. However, upon sensing the presence of PNP personnel and other operatives, the unidentified individuals immediately fled the area and abandoned the said contraband.
PBGen.Ragay highly praised the police officers for their accomplishment of not accepting any bribes and continuing to monitor against contraband and criminality for the security of the citizens.
