Navy intercepts smuggled cigarettes in Zamboanga

The Naval Forces Western Mindanao intercepts a Jungkung-type vessel loaded with 600 boxes of smuggled cigarettes in the waters off Bagong Calarian, Zamboanga City on June 26, 2019. (PHOTOS from Naval Forces Western Mindanao)

ZAMBOANGA CITY – The Naval Forces Western Mindanao has intercepted a Jungkung-type (wooden hull) watercraft loaded with smuggled cigarettes in the waters off Bagong Calarian, Zamboanga City at 3 a.m. on Wednesday.

Rear Admiral Erick Kagaoan, commander of Naval Forces Western Mindanao, said the unnamed vessel was loaded with 600 boxes of smuggled cigarettes, printed with the brand “Bravo.”

He said they have yet to ascertain where the vessel came from.

Kagaoan said the vessel was escorted to Ensign Majini Pier of the Naval Station Romulo Espaldon in Barangay Bagong Calarian here.

The smuggled goods were then turned over to the Bureau of Customs for proper disposition.

PHOTO from Naval Forces Western Mindanao

Lawyer Segundo Sigmund Freud Barte, the district collector of the Bureau of Customs in the Zamboanga Peninsula(Region 9), estimated the market value of the smuggled items at around P7 million.

“All the Bravo cigarettes will be destroyed,” Barte said, as he lauded the Philippine Navy for apprehending the smuggled cigarettes.

Last June 20, the Philippine Navy also intercepted smuggled cigarettes valued at around P10 million on board the vessel ML Farnaliza off the port of Zamboanga City.

No one has claimed the seized goods, Barte said. (Editor: Eden Estopace)

PHOTO from the Naval Forces Western Mindanao