PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur — The Western Mindanao Naval Command (WMNC) reported on Friday that its forces had seized smuggled cigarettes worth P174 million in a five-day operation in the waters of Sulu province.
In a statement, the WMNC said the operation ran from November 13 to 17 and intercepted five vessels carrying contraband into the towns of Tapul, Banguingui, Lugus and Jolo.
The WMNC said they also arrested 35 crew of the vessels that were brought to the Naval Station Romulo Espaldon in Zamboanga City inventory and later turned over to the Bureau of Customs-Port of Zamboanga for proper disposition.
Authorities counted some 2,874 master cases of illicit cigarettes with an estimated market value of P174,277,366.00. /das