MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine Navy on Tuesday (Feb. 23) seized P17 million worth of cigarettes being smuggled into Sulu.
The Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM) apprehended fishing boat Princess Arlyn off Karangdato Point in Karingalan, Caluang town, carrying 360 boxes of contraband. It came from Indonesia and was bound for Cotabato City.
The vessel was allegedly owned by a certain Hadji Wari of Zamboanga. It had eight crew men onboard, the NFWM said in a Facebook post.
The Navy’s BRP Alberto Navarette towed the boat to Zamboanga City for disposition. The crewmen were taken to a military hospital for medical checkup before they were turned over to law enforcers.
The cigarettes were brought to the Bureau of Customs, NFWM said.
Rear Admiral Toribio Adaci Jr., NFWM commander, lauded his men for the successful operation and rallied them to “sustain the effort” in helping other government agencies enforce Customs, immigration and maritime laws.