Navy intercepts two vessels with smuggled cigarettes

November 19, 2020

The Philippine Navy intercepted two vessels loaded with smuggled cigarettes worth P9 million off the waters of Southern Philippines on Tuesday, a military official said Thursday.

Commodore Toribio Adaci Jr., Naval Forces Western Mindanao commander, said  Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM) foiled an attempt to bring into Zamboanga City around 300 cases of assorted undocumented cigarettes.

Adaci said "the goods have an estimated market value of nine million pesos and were put on board two Jungkong-type motor bancas."

"Naval Task Force 61 (NTF-61) planned and executed the law enforcement operation and successfully intercepted MPB Al-Iya and MPB Lacoste at the vicinity of Basilan Strait," he said.

"The said watercraft came from Brgy. Lagasan, Parang, Sulu and transited in convoy and during night most probably to avoid detection by law enforcers," he added.

Adaci said Al-Iya and Lacoste along with its crew and cargo were then escorted to Ensign Majini Pier, Naval Station Romulo Espaldon, Bagong Calarian, Zamboanga City.

"They were turned over to the Bureau of Customs Region 9 for proper disposition," he said. Robina Asido/DMS