Zamboanga city: Authorities have seized an estimated worth of PHP197.2 million in smuggled cigarettes during two days of operations within the area of the Western Mindanao Naval Command (WMNC), an official reported.

According to Philippines News Agency, units of the WMNC, operating under Naval Task Force 61, conducted two maritime interdiction operations on Tuesday and Wednesday. These operations resulted in the apprehension of two vessels transporting undocumented foreign cigarettes within the Western Mindanao Area of Operations, as reported by Rear Adm. Constancio Arturo Reyes Jr., commander of WMNC.

On Wednesday morning, naval personnel intercepted a motorboat marked M/B Skyblue southeast of Sibago Island in Basilan province. The inspection revealed approximately 460 master cases of foreign-brand cigarettes, valued at around PHP26.2 million. The boat captain and crew were unable to present valid documentation for the vessel and cargo, leading to the motorboat and its cargo being brought to WMNC headquarters in the city.

A day earlier, naval personnel intercepted a vessel named M/V Sun Voyage off Kalamansig, Sultan Kudarat. Upon boarding and inspection, the vessel was found to be carrying 3,000 master cases of imported cigarettes worth PHP171 million. The cigarettes were seized after the vessel's skipper failed to present importation permits and cargo clearances. The vessel, crew, and cargo were escorted to the WMNC headquarters.

Reyes emphasized that both operations were conducted in accordance with established maritime law enforcement protocols and relevant national laws addressing smuggling and illegal trade.