Mindanao Navy seizes P93-M smuggled cigarettes in Sulu Sea

ZAMBOANGA CITY – The Philippine Navy’s Western Mindanao Naval Command (WMNC) on Friday turned over to the Bureau of Customs (BOC) – Port of Zamboanga, more than PHP93 million worth of confiscated smuggled foreign-brand cigarettes.

In a report on Saturday, the WMNC said the smuggled cigarettes were intercepted by the Naval Task Force-61 and its operational units during separate operations in the Sulu Sea on Thursday night.

The WMNC said that in the first operation, Navy personnel intercepted the M/B Aslinda manned by a five-man crew southeast of Cabucan Island, Hadji Panglima Tahil in Sulu.

M/B Aslinda, skippered by a certain Hajil, was carrying 305 master cases of undocumented foreign-brand cigarettes valued at PHP47.5 million.

READ: Smuggled cigarettes worth P80-M seized by PCG Central Cebu

“The vessel’s crew failed to present the required cargo and vessel documents, resulting in the apprehension of the vessel and its crew,” the WMNC said.

In a separate operation, naval forces intercepted the M/V Babyboy manned by six men and one woman southwest of Marungas Island, Jolo, Sulu.

A search and seizure operation uncovered about 300 master cases of undocumented foreign-brand cigarettes concealed beneath other cargo, with an estimated value of PHP46.3 million.

READ: P70-M of smuggled cigarettes seized in Lanao raid; 15 arrested

The two vessels and crew were subsequently apprehended and escorted to this city.

The WMNC said that all seized vessels, cargo, and crew were turned over to the Bureau of Customs – Port of Zamboanga for appropriate legal action and disposition under existing laws and regulations. (PNA)

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