Some 300 cases of assorted smuggled cigarettes believed to be worth P10.6 million were intercepted Thursday, April 15 off the waters of Barangay Sinunuc, Zamboanga City.
The Customs Intelligence and Investigation Services (CIIS) of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) - Port of Zamboanga said the contraband was discovered aboard MB Princess Amina. They learned of the cigarettes' presence via tipoff.
The vessel was departing from Jolo, Sulu, en route to Zamboanga City when BOC personnel launched their operation. This resulted in the confiscation of more than 300 cases of undocumented cigarettes having an estimated value of P10.6 million.
The items were eventually turned over to the BOC for verification as to the volume and the value of the seized goods.
The BOC’s anti-smuggling team composed of the CIIS and Enforcement and Security Service- Customs Police Division (ESS-CPD), in collaboration with the Naval Intelligence and Security Group-Western Mindanao (NISG-WM) and Naval Forces Western Mindanao planned and executed the operation.