Military intercepts vessel with smuggled cigarettes off Zamboanga City

June 26, 2019

The military intercepted a vessel with smuggled cigarettes off the waters of Zamboanga City on Wednesday morning.

In a report, Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM) said its operating unit intercepted one Jungkung-type watercraft loaded with tobacco products branded “Bravo” in vicinity of waters off Bagong Calarian around 3 am. 

"A total of 600 boxes of smuggled cigarettes on board unidentified watercraft were intercepted while said watercraft was enroute to Zamboanga City," the report said.

It added that the vessel was escorted to Ensign Majini Pier, Naval Station Romulo Espaldon, Bagong Calarian. It was later turned over to the Bureau of Customs for proper disposition.

According to NFWM "the foiling of the alleged illegal transport of smuggled imported cigarettes is a result of an intensified and focused maritime patrol and operation of the Philippine Navy in collaboration with other law enforcement agency." Robina Asido/DMS