ZAMBOANGA CITY – Smuggled cigarettes worth P398 million were seized by the Philippine Navy and other concerned agencies from a cargo vessel manned by Indonesians in the sea of Tawi-Tawi on February 1.
Philippine Navy personnel were initially alerted by the National Coast Watch Center about the presence of a cargo vessel suspected of carrying prohibited drugs and other contraband.
A team composed of the Philippine Navy, Philippine Marines, Philippine Air Force, and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency conducted a maritime interdiction operation and intercepted the MV Samson in the vicinity of Pearl Bank in Tawi-Tawi.
They conducted a Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure operation which led to the discovery of thousands of boxes of undocumented tobacco products from the vessel manned by 10 Indonesians.
MV Samson was escorted to the port of Bongao in Tawi-Tawi where it was inspected by the Bureau of Customs and PDEA. The vessel sailed on February 7 to Majini Pier, Naval Station Romulo Espaldon in this city where it underwent another series of inspection and paneling.
The vessel was loaded with thousands of master cases and reams of undocumented cigarettes and boxes of undocumented tobacco cut fillers with an estimated market value of P398.5 million.
Ship crew was subjected to a medical checkup and found to be in good physical condition. They were allowed to board the vessel prior to deportation proceedings.
Rear Admiral Donn Anthony Miraflor, Naval Forces West Mindanao commander, vowed to continue their support to other government agencies in protecting and securing the country’s maritime interests.