Article by:
Teofilo Garcia, Jr.
ZAMBOANGA CITY – Police and military forces intercepted some P1.4 million worth of smuggled cigarettes and arrested three persons in this southern port city over the weekend, a top police official said Monday.
Arrested were Marlon Pamalaran, 27, the driver, and his two alleged assistants, namely, Ryan Cabayacruz, 24, and Wendell Vidad, 18, according to Col. Alexander Lorenzo, Zamboanga City Police Office (ZCPO) director.
Lorenzo said the joint police and military team was conducting checkpoint operations when they flagged down a dropside cargo tuck around 4:30 a.m. Sunday in Barangay Divisoria, this city.
Upon inspection, the police official said the truck was found to be loaded with 109 master cases of smuggled assorted cigarettes worth PHP1.4 million concealed in Styrofoam boxes.
The confiscated smuggled cigarettes consisted of Astro Red, 24 master cases; Astro Green, 35; and, Royal brand, 50.
Lorenzo said the suspects and seized cigarettes were turned over to the custody of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) for proper disposition. (PNA)
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