P4M worth of smuggled cigarettes seized in Zamboanga City
ZAMBOANGA CITY—Maritime authorities intercepted smuggled imported cigarettes valued at close to P4 million aboard two watercraft off Santa Cruz Island here on Friday, March 26.
Lt. Chester Ross Cabaltera, public affairs officer of the Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM), said the 108 cases of imported cigarettes bearing the brands of San Marino and Bravo were seized aboard the MB Aljabar and MB Almalyn, two boats that recently arrived through the backdoor with neighboring Malaysia or Indonesia.
Cabaltera said the six crew members and the boats had been brought to the Navy’s Ensign Majini Pier of Naval Station Romulo Espaldon for further inspection. He said they were conducting a proper inventory of items aboard the boats before these would be turned over to appropriate agencies.
He said the operation was conducted in coordination with Bureau of Customs (BOC) in the region.
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Julie Alipala, Inquirer Mindanao
/MUF
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