ZAMBOANGA CITY, Dec. 12 -- Authorities have arrested a boatman and seized about PHP8.7 million worth of smuggled cigarettes off Zamboanga Sibugay province, the police said Friday.

The Zamboanga Sibugay Maritime Police Station (MARPSTA) identified the arrested boatman as a certain Al, 31, of Zone 2, Barangay Cawit, Zamboanga City.

The police said the operatives launched a seaborne patrol after receiving an intelligence report that a motorboat loaded with contraband was scheduled to arrive in Ipil, the capital town of Zamboanga Sibugay province, on Thursday.

"The operatives spotted a gray motorized banca loaded with boxes. Upon their approach to conduct a visual inspection, it was observed in plain view that the boxes contained master ca...