P113.6 million smuggled cigarettes seized in Sulu, Basilan

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines —  Smuggled cigarettes with a combined value of P113.6 million have been seized in separate anti-smuggling operations in Sulu and Basilan, which also resulted in the arrest of 14 people.

Members of the Naval Task Force 61 on Saturday intercepted F/B Sea Dragon and M/B Seahorse in the waters off Tongkil Island in Sulu, according to Western Mindanao Naval Command chief Rear Adm. Constancio Arturo Reyes Jr.

During inspection, the naval operatives found the boats loaded with 282 master cases of undocumented cigarettes with an estimated market value of P42.7 million.

The following day, the same group of naval operatives intercepted a motorized banca in the waters off Hadji Mohammad Ajul in Basilan.

Reyes said the M/B Lappas was found transporting 473 master cases of undocumented cigarettes worth P70.9 million.

Navy men escorted the vessels toward the Naval Station Romulo Espaldon after their crewmembers failed to show documents authorizing the transport of their cargos.

A K-9 unit of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency inspected the contraband for possible presence of illegal drugs.

The cigarettes were turned over to the Bureau of Customs for proper disposition.