Almost P93M worth of contraband cigarettes seized in Mindanao | Inquirer News

Almost P93M worth of contraband cigarettes seized in Mindanao

/ 06:19 PM February 21, 2023

Almost P93M worth of contraband cigarettes seized in Mindanao

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Almost P93 million worth of contraband cigarettes were seized in separate operations in Mindanao, authorities reported in separate statements on Tuesday.

On Saturday, the Philippine Navy said that it conducted a “visit, board, search, and seizure operations”  on the 11-crew ML Haiban in Indanan town in Sulu.

Article continues after this advertisement

The boat was found to be carrying 4,500 cases and 225,000 reams of undocumented cigarettes with an estimated market value of P90 million. The cigarettes allegedly came from Indonesia.

FEATURED STORIES

The boat, along with its crew and the seized items, was escorted to Mauboh Pier, Patikul, Sulu, then turned over to the Bureau of Customs-Sulu.

Also on Saturday, the Western Mindanao Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines arrested three people aboard a Mitsubishi Canter at a checkpoint on the National Highway of Kintay, Barangay Sinawal in General Santos City.

Article continues after this advertisement

Soldiers at the checkpoint found them carrying P601,370 worth of smuggled cigarettes.

Article continues after this advertisement

Arrested were Junel Entirina, 26; Redden Timog-Timog Salazar, 26; and Saidali Gumba Salisipan, 31.

Article continues after this advertisement

The suspects were put under police custody.

On Monday, the Philippine Coast Guard confiscated P2.1 million worth of cigarettes at Galas Feeder Port in Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte.

Article continues after this advertisement

Hidden inside rice bran bags, the contraband was detected with the help of the Coast Guard K9 Force.

The Coast Guard also turned over the items to the BOC.

RELATED STORIES

BOC: P3-M smuggled cigarettes seized in Davao City

P2-M smuggled cigarettes seized in Negros Occidental, 3 arrested

Over 73,000 packs of contraband cigarettes seized in Digos City

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

TAGS: Philippine Coast Guard

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

© Copyright 1997-2024 INQUIRER.net | All Rights Reserved

This is an information message

We use cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more here.