A cargo vessel seized for carrying smuggled cigarettes is docked at the Western Mindanao Naval Command pier in Zamboanga City. Photo courtesy of Photo courtesy of WMNC.
Authorities seized smuggled cigarettes valued at about Php 197.2 million during two maritime operations conducted within the area of responsibility of the Western Mindanao Naval Command, officials said Wednesday.
Rear Adm. Constancio Arturo Reyes Jr., commander of the naval command, reported that the seizures were carried out over two days by naval units operating under Naval Task Force 61.
Reyes said the first operation took place Wednesday morning, when naval personnel intercepted a motorboat identified as M/B Skyblue southeast of Sibago Island in Basilan province.
An inspection of the boat uncovered around 460 master cases of foreign-brand cigarettes estimated to be worth Php 26.2 million, according to the report.
The boat’s captain and crew were unable to present documents for either the vessel or its cargo, prompting authorities to bring the motorboat and seized items to the naval headquarters for further processing.
A day earlier, naval forces also intercepted another vessel, M/V Sun Voyage, off the coast of Kalamansig in Sultan Kudarat.
Boarding teams found the vessel carrying about 3,000 master cases of imported cigarettes valued at roughly Php 171 million. The cargo was seized after the ship’s skipper failed to present the required import permits and clearance documents.
Reyes said both operations followed established maritime law enforcement procedures and were conducted in line with national laws against smuggling and illegal trade.