ZAMBOANGA CITY – Smuggled cigarettes valued at P20 million were seized in Sulu on Sunday, August 18.
PHILIPPINE Navy personnel intercepted smuggled cigarettes valued at P20.4 million in the sea of Sulu. (Navforwem)
The BRP Laurence Narag (PG 907) under Naval Task Force 61 of the Naval Forces Western Mindanao intercepted a motorized watercraft, MB Salwa 4, loaded with the contraband 17 kilometers northeast of Tubigan Island during a patrol.
Rear Admiral Francisco Tagamolila, Naval Forces Western Mindanao commander, said the crew of MB Salwa 4, all residents of Basilan, were apprehended.
The vessel was taken to the Naval Station Romulo Espaldon here for further inspection and proper turnover to the Bureau of Customs.
A composite team conducted an inventory and estimated the value of the smuggled cigarettes at P20.45 million.
The Bureau of Customs Zamboanga City has taken custody of the items for further processing and documentation.