A SHIPMENT of some P22.5 million worth of smuggled cigarettes was intercepted by the personnel of the Naval Forces Western Mindanao (Navforwem) off Zamboanga City, an official said Thursday, June 20.

Lawyer Segundo Sigmundfreud Barte, Jr., Bureau of Customs (BOC)-Zamboanga district collector, said the smuggled cigarettes shipment was intercepted around 1:30 a.m. Thursday near the shore of Baliwasan village, west of this city.

Barte said the shipment was intercepted after the Navforwem personnel spotted a motorized banca named M/B Farniza sailing towards the shore of Sitio Estanvac in Campo Islam village, also west of this city.

The shore in Sitio Estanvac is a known to be among the unloading areas of contraband such as rice, cigarettes and other products.

Barte said the Navy personnel, during the conduct of inspection, discovered that M/B Farniza was loaded with some 750 master cases of imported cigarettes.

He said the estimated value of the shipment is placed at P22.5 million since each master case of cigarettes is worth P30,000.

Barte added the confiscated shipment of smuggled cigarettes was stored at the warehouse of the Navforwem after it was turned over to his office. - Bong Garcia