OPERATIVES of the Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM) have seized another shipment of smuggled cigarettes while conducting maritime interdiction operation, an official said Monday, March 29.

Lieutenant Senior Grade Chester Ross Cabaltera, NFWM information officer, said the shipment of smuggled cigarettes was intercepted by the joint 4th Marine Brigade, Naval Task Group-Sulu and Naval Task Force 61 Sunday evening, March 28, south off Lagasan, Maimbung, Sulu.

Cabaltera said the sailors spotted a vessel named M/V Hana, manned by a nine-man crew, after they launched maritime interdiction operations following receipt of report that shipment of contraband transiting the waters off Saimbangon, Pata, Sulu.

Cabaltera said that M/V Hana was found to be loaded with 200 master cases of assorted smuggled cigarettes worth P10 million when the troops conducted an on board inspection.

He said M/V Hana, its crew and contraband were taken to the Bureau of Customs in Zamboanga City.

On Friday, March 26, NFWM personnel apprehended two motorboats, M/B Aljabar and M/B Almalyn, loaded with P3.8 million worth of smuggled cigarettes near Sta. Cruz Island, Zamboanga City.

The two motorboats manned by three-man crew each came from Jolo, Sulu. (SunStar Zamboanga)