ZAMBOANGA CITY – The Western Mindanao Naval Command recently seized over P56 million in smuggled items in separate maritime patrol operations in Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.
On Friday, a Navy patrol ship intercepted the MV Fiyyah within the vicinity of Simandagit Point, Tawi-Tawi, allegedly carrying 27,000 sacks of rice and 12, 828 assorted packs of consumer items with a combined estimated market value of P35.8 million.
The vessel reportedly came from Sandakan enroute to Bongao, Tawi-Tawi with 13 personnel when it was intercepted.
The Western Mindanao Naval Command intercepted the M/B Nurshaima off Tongkil, Sulu on Saturday.
The boat was carrying 350 master cases of assorted foreign branded cigarettes with an estimated market value of P20.3 million.
Cargoes from the two vessels were turned over to the Bureau of Customs and the National Bureau of Investigation regional office for disposition.