ZAMBOANGA CITY(November 17) — A routine police patrol turned into a major anti-smuggling breakthrough on Tuesday, Nov. 12, after authorities intercepted two motorized boats carrying an estimated P21 million worth of smuggled cigarettes off Sta. Cruz Island.
The late-afternoon operation, led by units under the Philippine National Police (PNP), resulted in the arrest of seven men and the seizure of 300 master cases of undocumented cigarettes—272 cases of Modern Red and 28 cases of Green Hills Menthol.
PNP Acting Chief P/Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said officers noticed the boats behaving suspiciously around 4:30 p.m., prompting them to move in for inspection. What followed was a coordinated confiscation that prevented the contraband from reaching the mainland.
Nartatez praised the swift teamwork of his personnel, saying their vigilance “prevented the illegal transport of millions worth of smuggled goods,” a crime that continues to undermine both public safety and government revenue.
The seized items and arrested suspects were brought to Zamboanga City Police Station 11 for documentation and proper disposition.
Growing concern over coastal smuggling
The operation is the latest in a series of intensified PNP efforts to curb smuggling operations along Western Mindanao’s coastlines—areas long exploited by syndicates transporting untaxed cigarettes and other illicit goods.
Police officials say the illegal cigarette trade alone is costing the government an estimated P25 billion annually in lost revenue, affecting funds meant for social services, basic facilities, and development programs.
Meanwhile, local authorities continue to urge coastal communities to report suspicious maritime activities, underscoring their role as frontliners in protecting Zamboanga waters from criminal operations.
As crackdowns continue, Tuesday’s interception serves as a strong reminder that vigilant policing—and community cooperation—remains key in stopping illicit trade from slipping through the city’s busy maritime corridors.
