ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — The naval forces seized P18.7 million worth of smuggled cigarettes in two separate anti-smuggling operations in Basilan and Sulu, the Western Mindanao Naval Command reported yesterday.
WMNC commander Rear Adm. Constancio Arturo Reyes Jr. said Naval Task Force 61 personnel intercepted a motorized boat loaded with smuggled cigarettes off Pandukan Island yesterday dawn.
On Sunday, Navy men aboard the BRP Herminigildo Yurong also intercepted P2.7 million worth of smuggled cigarettes off Hadji Muhtamad town.
Reyes said the two operations yielded a total of 440 master cases of smuggled cigarettes, valued at P18.7 million.
He said the cigarettes were turned over to the Bureau of Customs here for forfeiture and destruction.
“The Western Mindanao Naval Command continues to strengthen maritime patrols, inter-agency collaboration and enforcement of the Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept to safeguard the seas of Western Mindanao,” Reyes said.