PAGADIAN CITY: Authorities arrested a policeman and a businessman after intercepting a van loaded with nearly P1.9 million worth of smuggled cigarettes during a checkpoint operation in Barangay Gatas, Kalawit, Zamboanga del Norte late on Friday, July 31.
Lt. Col. Edwin Verzon, force commander of the Zamboanga del Norte 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Company (ZNPMFC), said personnel from the 2nd Platoon, ZNPMFC, together with other law enforcement units, flagged down a white Nissan van at 10.05pm.
Instead of stopping, the driver accelerated and attempted to evade inspection, prompting operatives to pursue and intercept the vehicle a short distance away.
The suspects were identified as a 34-year-old policeman assigned to Police Station 10 under the Zamboanga City Police Office and a resident of Barangay Talon-Talon, Zamboanga City, and a 36-year-old businessman from Barangay Tumaga, Zamboanga City.
Upon inspection, authorities discovered 1,630 reams of smuggled cigarettes concealed inside the van. The Bureau of Customs (BOC) estimated the contraband's market value at P1,867,980 based on its standard price index.- Inquirer/ANN
