P150 million smuggled cigarettes seized

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — At least P150 million worth of smuggled cigarettes from Indonesia were seized by the Philippine Navy in the waters off Tawi-Tawi on Friday.

The contraband was loaded on a motorlaunch that was intercepted by Navy personnel near Simunul Island, according to Commodore Toribio Adaci Jr., chief of the Naval Forces Western Mindanao.

The motorlaunch came from Tarakan, Indonesia and was headed to a private wharf in Indanan, Sulu, Adaci said.

The Navy team inspected the vessel and discovered on board 3,000 cases of cigarettes with an estimated market value of P150 million.