Manila: Authorities arrested three individuals, including a teenager, and seized about PHP14.9 million worth of contraband in separate law operations in Lanao del Norte and Zamboanga del Sur provinces on Monday afternoon, officials said Tuesday.

According to Philippines News Agency, Col. Leo Sua, Lanao del Norte Police director, reported the arrest of a 59-year-old individual, known as alias Ab, and a 16-year-old boy in Barangay Libertad, Kolambugan town. The arrests occurred during a checkpoint operation where operatives flagged down a cargo truck driven by Ab for routine inspection. Upon inspection, the truck was found transporting 9,000 reams of assorted cigarettes, believed to be smuggled, with an estimated market value of PHP7,200,000.

The individuals apprehended in Lanao del Norte were taken to the Kolambugan Municipal Police Station for documentation, processing, and profiling before being referred to the Bureau of Customs (BOC) for legal action. The seized cigarettes are currently held by the police's 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company for safekeeping.

Meanwhile, in Zamboanga del Sur, Col. Rodolfo Ara±as, the police director, reported the arrest of a 52-year-old driver in Purok Kinhason, Barangay Panduma, Tukuran. The driver was intercepted while carrying smuggled cigarettes in a minivan and was unable to produce the necessary documents for the cargo. Ara±as revealed that the operation was initiated based on information from a confidential informant regarding the storage of illicit cigarettes.

The operation in Zamboanga del Sur resulted in the seizure of 49 master cases of assorted smuggled cigarettes, valued at approximately PHP7,733,606. These items were turned over to the BOC for proper disposition, while the suspect is currently in the custody of the Tukuran Municipal Police.

Ara±as emphasized that these successful operations underscore the Zamboanga del Sur Police Provincial Office's commitment to combating smuggling and other criminal activities in the region.