Authorities in Zamboanga del Sur made a significant contraband interception while securing a major local festival, preventing hundreds of thousands of pesos worth of illicit goods from reaching the market.
Festival Security Leads to Major Bust
Personnel from the Zamboanga del Sur Maritime Police Station (ZDS MARPSTA) seized a shipment of smuggled cigarettes valued at approximately P286,500. The operation occurred while they were providing security for the Araw ng Pasasalamat Festival 2026 in Pagadian City.
The police officially reported the seizure on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, though the actual interception happened earlier. The contraband was discovered around 4:45 a.m. on Saturday, January 17, 2026, along Yllana Bay in White Beach village, Pagadian City.
Hot Pursuit and Abandoned Contraband
As part of heightened maritime security for the festival, ZDS MARPSTA officers were on a routine seaborne patrol when they spotted a suspicious motorboat loaded with several boxes. Upon approaching the vessel for inspection, the individuals on board panicked.
"When approached for verification, the occupants immediately fled, abandoned the boat, and fled towards the shore," the ZDS MARPSTA stated. Law enforcement officers quickly launched a hot pursuit and conducted an area search, but the suspects successfully evaded capture.
Violations and Evidence
Left behind on the abandoned motorboat were five master cases of smuggled cigarettes. The total estimated value of the confiscated goods is P286,500. A further inspection revealed that the cigarettes were in violation of national public health laws.
The seized products did not bear the required graphic health warnings, constituting a clear breach of the Graphic Health Warnings Law. This law mandates that tobacco products sold in the Philippines carry prominent health images and warnings to inform consumers of the risks.
All confiscated evidence was transported to the ZDS MARPSTA headquarters for proper documentation, inventory, and legal disposition. The incident highlights the dual role of police units during large public events, where they must balance crowd security with ongoing enforcement operations against illegal activities.
The successful seizure demonstrates the effectiveness of proactive maritime patrols, especially during periods when criminal elements might attempt to use the cover of large gatherings and increased logistical activity to move illicit goods.
