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Navy recovers P171-M smuggled cigarettes

Philippines | Mindanao

Navy recovers P171-M smuggled cigarettes

By Liza Jocson

MV Sun Voyage

ZAMBOANGA CITY – A vessel of Cambodian registry manned by crew members from Myanmar was held last Tuesday, Feb. 24, in Sultan Kudarat by the Naval Command Western Mindanao for allegedly transporting more than 3,000 master cases of smuggled cigarettes.

In an exclusive interview, Lt. Commander Chester Ross Cabaltera, Western Mindanao Naval Command public information officer, said the vessel, the MV Sun Voyage, was observed by Philippine Navy personnel drifting in the seas of Sultan Kudarat near Kalamansig Port for the past seven days.

Navy personnel proceeded towards the ship, thinking that it might be in distress, and upon boarding, discovered a staggering haul of thousands of master cases of cigarettes.

The vessel’s master was unable to provide the required importation permits or clearances for the transport of the cargo.

Cabaltera said an inventory of the items has not yet been completed, but initial estimates placed the cargo to be at least 3,000 cases for an estimated market value of P171 million.

The vessel captain said the boat was travelling from Cambodia to Davao City. He claimed that the vessel was carrying 7,000 master cases of cigarettes when it left Cambodia.

While the vessel was being towed towards the naval headquarters in Zamboanga City, Navy personnel observed two smaller vessels trying to approach the bigger boat, leading them to think that the MV Sun Voyage distributed illicit cargo to smaller boats while in transit. The smaller vessels reportedly sailed away after seeing the Navy vessel escorting the MV Sun Voyage.

Before arriving at the naval headquarters, the Navy chanced upon a motorized banca marked MB Skyblue in the sea of Sebago Island in Basilan.

Upon inspection, the boat revealed 480 master cases of smuggled cigarettes, prompting Navy personnel to tow the boat together with seven crew members onboard towards their headquarters.

Related Tags

Cigarette smuggling Philippine Navy Zamboanga City

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