Authorities separately recovered some PHP1.6 million worth of smuggled cigarettes abandoned by suspected smugglers here Monday night, officials said Tuesday.
Col. Alexander Lorenzo, Zamboanga City Police Office (ZCPO) chief, said the first recovery was made around 8:29 p.m. in Barangay Kasanyangan, involving 16 master cases of smuggled cigarettes worth PHP560,000.
No one was arrested, as the suspected smugglers fled upon sensing the arrival of police officers in the area.
Col. Richard Verceles, Area Police Command-Western Mindanao operations chief, said the second recovery was around 11:30 p.m. along the shore of Barangay Talabaan.
Verceles said ZCPO Station 4 personnel were on anti-smuggling operation when they spotted a pile of 30 master cases worth PHP1,050,000.
No one was around when the authorities arrived in the area where the contraband were found.
All the recovered items were turned over to the Bureau of Customs.
Source: Philippines News Agency