Zamboanga City (PIA) – The Zamboanga City Police Office (ZCPO) underscores the importance of information and community involvement in combating illegal drugs and smuggled cigarettes in the city.
Led by PCol. Kimberly E. Molitas, the ZCPO shared an overview of its recent accomplishments in seizing drugs and smuggled cigacigarettes during the first seven months of 2024, in an interview at PIA Kapihan na Zamboanga.
The ZCPO successfully confiscated ₱97 million worth of smuggled cigarettes and ₱47 million worth of illegal drugs. These efforts are part of a broader, coordinated initiative involving various agencies and law enforcement units aimed at intensifying the campaign against illegal drugs and smuggled goods.
“ZCPO has consistently been at the forefront of the anti-smuggling campaign,” stated PCol. Molitas, emphasizing the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) commitment to curbing the flow of illegal goods in Zamboanga City.
Local government units and the business sector have shown strong support in the fight against illegal drugs and smuggling. PCol. Molitas reiterated the ZCPO’s objective to foster community involvement in detecting and preventing the distribution of illegal drugs and smuggled cigarettes throughout the city.
She highlighted the critical importance of information dissemination in sustaining these operations, noting that public awareness and engagement are key factors in the campaign’s success.
“Information is crucial, trust is crucial,” PCol. Molitas emphasized, pointing out that informed citizens are less likely to support smuggled goods. She further noted that community engagement plays a pivotal role in reducing the entry of illegal goods into the city. The information gathered from local communities enhances the PNP’s capacity to intercept illegal drugs and smuggled cigarettes in Zamboanga City.
“It’s very important that we all work together in this campaign; this is a whole-city approach,” PCol. Molitas added, urging local government units and the public to actively participate and engage in the efforts to combat illegal drugs and smuggled cigarettes. (JPA/MLE/DBE-GIP/PIA Region 9-Zamboanga City)
