AUTHORITIES arrested five individuals and seized a shipment of some P16.4 million of smuggled cigarettes off Basilan province, the Western Mindanao Naval Command (WMNC) said Tuesday, August 12, 2025.
Captain Hilarion Cesista, WMNC acting commander, the shipment of smuggled cigarettes was seized around 2:29 p.m. Friday, August 8 approximately 14.1 nautical miles southeast of Timbungan Island, Tabuan Lasa, Basilan.
Cesista said the WMNC personnel were conducting maritime security patrol, in coordination with the Bureau of Customs (BOC)-Port of Zamboanga, when they intercepted and apprehended a fishing vessel marked Sea Bird, manned by five crewmen.
Upon inspection, the fishing vessel was found carrying assorted brands of undocumented cigarettes worth P16,439,542.
The shipment was seized for violations of Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, Amended Rules and Regulations Governing the Exportation and Importation of Leaf Tobacco and Tobacco Products, and directives of the National Tobacco Administration (NTA), including Memorandum Circular No. 03, Series of 2004.
Cesista said the fishing vessel and cargo were seized by WMNC operating units and turned over to the BOC-Port of Zamboanga for proper legal disposition. (SunStar Zamboanga)