The Bureau of Customs- Port of Zamboanga (BOC-POZ), through its Enforcement and Security Service (ESS) and Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS), in coordination with the 2nd Zamboanga City Mobile Force Company “Seaborne”, successfully intercepted Php 9.6 million worth of smuggled cigarettes off the waters of Manalipa, Zamboanga City o 21 June 2022.

The BOC ESS-CPD and CIIS, in coordination with the Seaborne Unit, patrolled the waters off Manalipa and conducted a joint operation against a wooden watercraft which is allegedly carrying smuggled cigarettes. The anti-smuggling operation resulted to the successful interception of one (1) motorized wooden watercraft marked “FB JAMAIKA”. The said watercraft was boarded by ten (10) crew members which came from Jolo, Sulu and were bound to Cotabato City. They were transporting a total of 275 master cases and 32 reams of Fort White Cigarettes with an estimated total value of more than Php 9.6 million.

District Collector Segundo Sigmundfreud Z. Barte Jr. has reported that from January to June 2022, POZ has apprehended a total of Php 153 million worth of smuggled goods and has condemned Php 110 million worth of cigarettes last April 2022. Collector Barte reiterates that the BOC and partner law enforcement agencies will not cease to continue intensifying border control against smuggling and other customs fraud pursuant to Commissioner Rey Leonardo B. Guerrero’s mandate.

The seized watercraft and the master cases of cigarettes are under the custody of the BOC for proper disposition for violation of Section 1113 (a) of R.A. 10863 otherwise known as the “Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA) of 2016 in relation to Section 117 and “Tobacco Exportation and Importation Rules and Regulations” being implemented by the National Tobacco Administration pursuant to Executive Order No. 245.