P20 million smuggled cigarettes seized in Sulu

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — Smuggled cigarettes valued at P20 million were seized in the waters off Sulu on Sunday, authorities said yesterday.

The contraband was seized by members of the Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM) from a motorized boat that they intercepted near Tubigan Island.

The naval unit on board BRP Laurence Narag arrested the seven crewmembers of the M/B Salwa-4, according to Rear Admiral Francisco Tagamolila, chief of the NFWM and Joint Task Force Poseidon.

The crewmembers failed to present documents for their cargo.

Aside from cigarettes, the NFWM also seized the motorized boat, which was escorted toward the Naval Station Romulo Espaldon in this city.

A joint team composed of personnel of the Naval Special Operations Unit, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, Bureau of Customs (BOC) and Judge Advocate General’s Service inspected and conducted an inventory of the cigarettes.

The cargo and the boat’s crewmembers were turned over to the custody of the BOC for documentation and filing of appropriate charges.