A total of 400,000 pesos worth of smuggled cigarettes were seized on Sunday by Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM) in its operation on Tubigan Island, Sulu.
The operation, conducted by BRP Laurence Narag (PG907) under Naval Task Force 61, located the vessel M/B SALWA-4, 17 kilometers from Tubigan Island, where it was found with 350 master cases of undocumented cigarettes.
During the operation, seven crew members from Basilan were detained.
The boat was escorted to Naval Station Romulo Espaldon (NSRE) in Zamboanga City for further examination and handover to the appropriate authorities.
Upon arrival at NSRE, a joint team from NAVSOU-6, PDEA-K9 Unit, Bureau of Customs Region 9 (BOC9), and the Judge Advocate General’s Service (JAGS) conducted a detailed inventory of the seized items.
The operation confirmed the seizure of 350 master cases of cigarettes with a total value of PHP 400,000.
With the addition of the motorized boat, the estimated total value of the seizure is PHP 20,455,000 and the Bureau of Customs Region 9 has taken custody of the items for further processing and documentation.
“This successful operation highlights the NFWM’s and its partners’ continued commitment to combating smuggling and safeguarding the nation’s maritime borders,” NFWM Public Affairs Officer Lieutenant Chester Cabaltera said.
