Zamboanga city: Authorities arrested a resident and seized PHP3.1 million worth of smuggled cigarettes during a law enforcement operation under Oplan Mega Shopper early Tuesday here.

According to Philippines News Agency, in a statement, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-Zamboanga City Field Unit (CIDG-ZCFU) identified the suspect as alias 'Ben,' 35, a resident of Barangay Arena Blanco where he was also nabbed at around 3 a.m.

CIDG operatives seized a vehicle carrying 56 master cases of imported smuggled cigarettes with a total estimated market value of PHP3.1 million.

The CIDG launched the operation with support from Zamboanga City Police Station 12 and in coordination with the Bureau of Customs.

Oplan Mega Shopper is the government's primary campaign against the smuggling of counterfeit and illegal products.

Confiscated cigarettes are turned over to the BOC-Port of Zamboanga City for proper disposition, the CIDG-ZCFU said.