THE Naval Task Force 71 of the Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao (Nfem) intercepted an estimated ₱20 million worth of suspected smuggled cigarettes during a seaborne operation off Dumoy Point, Talomo District, Davao City on June 7, 2025.
According to Nfem Public Affairs Officer Lt. Cmdr. Reynante Villela, the operation uncovered approximately 800 master cases of undocumented foreign-brand cigarettes aboard a motorized banca named M/B Sharefa.
Naval operatives conducting a maritime patrol spotted around 20 individuals unloading boxes from the vessel onto the shoreline. The suspects quickly fled the scene upon seeing the authorities, abandoning both the boat and its cargo.
The seized items were brought to Naval Station Felix Apolinario in Panacan, Davao City. K9 units from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Davao Region (Pdea-Davao) assisted in inspecting the cargo for possible illegal drugs.
Following standard procedure, the confiscated cigarettes will be turned over to the Bureau of Customs-Davao Region (BOC-Davao) for proper documentation and disposal.
Authorities are currently investigating the identities of those involved and the origin of the illegal shipment as part of an ongoing inter-agency crackdown on smuggling operations that threaten national economic security. DEF