On orders of Mayor John Dalipe, operatives of the Zamboanga City Police Office (ZCPO) under Col. Alexander Lorenzo have confiscated a total of P64.150 million worth of assorted contrabands, mostly cigarettes and red onion, for the period January to June 18, this year.

ZCPO spokesperson Col. Paul Andrew Cortes reported during the press briefing Monday that the police had conducted 20 anti-smuggling operations, which resulted in the arrest of 50 people and the confiscation of 2,600 bags of red onion and 1,392 boxes of assorted cigarettes with a total market value of P64.150 million.

To recall, the Bureau of Customs (BoC) Collection District No. 11 based at the Port of Zamboanga had reported a total P449.713 million worth of assorted cigarettes confiscated in a series of anti-smuggling operations within its areas of responsibility over for the period January to October last year.

On the continuing campaign against illegal drugs, Cortes said 203 operations had been conducted that resulted in the arrest of 224 drug personalities. Confiscated were 782.5378 grams of shabu and 6.765 grams of marijuana worth a total of P5.322 million.

On the other hand, the local police force had also confiscated 28 improvised explosives and 47 loose firearms from 49 individuals arrested in 39 operations. Also, 35 firearms were surrendered.

Cortes further reported that 134 individuals were arrested in 48 operations against illegal gambling, which also resulted in the confiscation of 40 fighting cocks and bet money amounting to P21,188.-[Vic Larato]