ZAMBOANGA CITY - Some P17-million worth of smuggled cigarettes were seized during an operation by Philippine Navy personnel in the sea of Basilan province on Monday, Oct. 20.
A Western Mindanao Naval Command vessel detected a suspicious fishing vessel marked F/B Guess and immediately conducted verification and boarding.
Inspection showed that the covered cargo consisted of 300 master cases of foreign brand cigarettes.
Eight crew members failed to present documents to legitimize the shipment.
The cargo valued at P17.5 million was transported to the Naval Station Romulo Espaldon and turned over to the Bureau of Customs here.