Zamboanga: Authorities seized smuggled cigarettes with an estimated market value of PHP2.4 million during a law enforcement operation in this city early Wednesday. Col. Fidel Fortaleza Jr., Zamboanga City Police Office (ZCPO) director, reported that the seizure occurred at about 3:30 a.m. at Isla Berde, Chonga Drive in Barangay Talon-Talon. According to Philippines News Agency, the cigarettes were spotted along the shoreline, and the persons hauling it immediately escaped and abandoned the smuggled items upon sensing the presence of the policemen and other operatives. Operatives recovered 41 master cases of cigarettes worth PHP2.46 million. The confiscated items bear a brand name manufactured in North Sulawesi, Indonesia. Fortaleza said the ZCPO is coordinating with the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and the Regional Maritime Unit 9 (Zamboanga Peninsula) to assist in the investigation and identify the owners of the contraband. The confiscated cigarettes were brought to the Zamboanga City Police Station 12 for proper disposition.