Navy seizes P529 million smuggled cigarettes

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December 8, 2025 | 12:00am

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — Naval units under the Western Mindanao Naval Command (WMNC) seized nearly P529 million worth of smuggled cigarettes from two boats off the Moro Gulf and Sulu last week.

Rear Adm. Constancio Arturo Reyes Jr., WMNC commander, said Naval Task Force 61 personnel intercepted M/L Adilyn during sea patrol off Sibago Island in the Moro Gulf on Thursday and discovered 3,000 master cases of smuggled cigarettes during inspection.

Reyes said another maritime patrol operation led to the seizure of 2,500 master cases of smuggled cigarettes from M/L ASB Express off the waters of Sulu.

He added that both vessels and its crew were escorted to Naval Station Romulo Espaldon here on Saturday.

The contraband, with a market value of P528,786,467, was turned over to the Bureau of Customs.