Navy seizes P55.7 million smuggled cigarettes

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — The Philippine Navy apprehended three vessels and confiscated smuggled cigarettes worth P55.7 million in separate operations here and in Sulu.

Rear Adm. Constancio Arturo Reyes Jr., Western Mindanao Naval Command chief, said naval forces intercepted MV Sarhana off Marungas Island in Sulu on Feb. 21 and seized 600 master cases of assorted cigarettes with an estimated value of P34.68 million.

Reyes said subsequent operations led to the maritime interdiction of MB Fatimah Darsa near Little Sta. Cruz Island here. The vessel had 336 master cases and 45 reams of smuggled cigarettes, valued at P19.45 million.

He noted that the successful operations followed the apprehension on Feb. 14 of MB Aafiya Sheza off Barangay Recodo here. Operatives seized 25 master cases of smuggled cigarettes valued at P1.53 million.

“These operations underscore our commitment to securing our borders and protecting the nation’s economy from the detrimental effects of smuggling,” Reyes said.

Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police (PNP) ordered an intensified information campaign against the sale of smuggled and illegally manufactured cigarettes in sari-sari or neighborhood convenience stores nationwide.

PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. directed police chiefs to coordinate with local government and barangay officials to remind cigarette retailers of the consequences of selling illicit tobacco products.

“We have to make sari-sari store owners understand that they are becoming enablers of smuggling and illegal manufacture of the cigarettes from the moment they agree to sell. There are legal consequences for doing that,” Nartatez said.