The Philippine Navy, through the Western Mindanao Naval Command (WMNC), has arrested 21 individuals and seized approximately P526.2 million worth of smuggled cigarettes in separate maritime interdiction operations conducted within a 48-hour period in the waters of Western Mindanao.
First Operation in Basilan
The first operation occurred at around 3:10 p.m. on May 13 in the vicinity of Basilan province. The Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS) Team discovered 2,519 master cases of foreign tobacco products, estimated to be worth P317.3 million, aboard the motor banca M/B Zhyzhy. The boat skipper and 13 crew members, all from Maluso, Basilan, failed to present any pertinent boat documents or cargo certifications.
Second Operation Near Hadji Mohammad Ajul
Less than 48 hours later, on May 15 at approximately 5:11 a.m., the Naval Task Force 61 intercepted the vessel JTK Express southeast off Matanal Point in Hadji Mohammad Ajul, Basilan. The VBSS Team boarded the vessel and found it carrying 1,400 master cases of undocumented cigarettes worth P208.9 million. The boat captain and six crew members were unable to provide a legal importation permit or cargo clearance.
Investigation and Disposition
Investigation revealed that the shipment of smuggled cigarettes originated from Tawi-Tawi and was bound for Pagadian City, the capital of Zamboanga del Sur. The apprehended crew members, the two watercraft, and the multi-million-peso contraband shipments were brought to Naval Station Romulo Espaldon, which houses the WMNC headquarters in Calarian village, Zamboanga City, for safekeeping.
The WMNC stated that all confiscated items have been formally turned over to the Bureau of Customs-Port of Zamboanga for proper disposition and the filing of appropriate charges. The WMNC emphasized that it will continue to strengthen maritime interdiction patrols to prevent the entry of smuggled items into its area of operations.
