Authorities arrested three individuals and seized approximately P4.4 million worth of smuggled cigarettes during a checkpoint operation in Zamboanga Sibugay province, a senior police official reported Wednesday. Brig. Gen. Bowenn Joey Masauding, the Police Regional Office- Zamboanga Peninsula (PRO-9) director, said the identities of the arrested suspects are being withheld pending follow-up operations. 'The suspects were apprehended by police officers during a checkpoint on Tuesday afternoon in Purok Euporbia, Barangay Lutiman, Alicia, Zamboanga Sibugay,' Masauding said. Authorities seized 79 master cases of assorted smuggled cigarettes valued at PHP1.9 million from the first vehicle. The second vehicle was found carrying 39 master cases and 31 reams of undocumented cigarettes worth PHP2.5 million. The suspects and the confiscated smuggled cigarettes were taken to the Alicia Municipal Police Station for proper processing and disposition. Source: Philippines News agency
