P6.3 million smuggled cigarettes seized

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — Smuggled cigarettes with an estimated value of P6.3 million were seized in the waters off Sulu on Sunday.

Personnel of the Naval Task Force 61 spotted a Malaysian-styled motorized boat caled junkong with five persons on board near Balod Island, according to Rear Admiral Toribio Adaci Jr., commander of Naval Forces Western Mindanao.

“The watercraft tried to flee after sensing the approaching navy patrol boat,” Adaci said.

Upon inspection, authorities discovered the smuggled cigarettes on board the boat.

The boat’s crewmembers failed to present papers for the transport of their cargo.

The Navy escorted the boat toward the Ensign Majini Pier at Naval Station Romulo Espaldon based in this city.

A K-9 unit of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency inspected the master cases of cigarettes to determine whether the cargo contained illegal drugs.

The arrested crewmembers were given medical attention before they were turned over along with the contraband to the Bureau of Customs for proper disposition.