ZAMBOANGA CITY – Joint operatives of the Bureau of Customs and the Philippine Navy intercepted a shipment of smuggled cigarettes off the waters of Zamboanga Peninsula, a Navy official reported.
Rear Admiral Toribio Adaci, Jr, chief of the Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM) said the smuggled cigarettes were worth P10.7 Million based on the assessment made by the Bureau of Customs.
Adaci said the smuggled items were reportedly smuggled Thursday dawn off the seawaters in Zamboanga when the joint operatives of the Navy and BOC intercepted them, which also resulted in the seizure of the items in Barangay Sinunuc.
In an interview with the media, Adaci said the joint Naval Taskforce 61, composed of the Navy Seals, intel operatives, and personnel of the Bureau of Customs, were conducting maritime operations when they chanced upon M/B Princess Amina.
He said the vessel was loaded with undocumented cigarettes with a total market value of more or less, Php 10,685.000.
After the seizure of the illegal items, the vessel was escorted to Naval Station Romulo Espaldon for inventory and inspection purposes.
The naval official also said they have contacted the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) to assist and help them in inspecting the smuggled cigarettes.
“There was no presence of any prohibited drugs or contrabands other than the undocumented cigarettes on board the apprehended vessel. The confiscated items were turned over to the custody of BOC-Zamboanga District,” he concluded.
