Naval forces intercept a fishing vessel carrying smuggled cigarettes

The Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao on Monday said it has intercepted a fishing vessel carrying smuggled cigarettes in Davao Occidental.

The Philippine Navy's BRP Artemio Ricarte (PS37), under the operational control of Naval Task Force 71 of NFEM, was sighted sailing southwest off Balut Island, Sarangani in the province.

M/B PRINCESS SARAH, while carrying smuggled cigarettes southwest off Balut Island, Sarangani, Davao Occidental on 5 November.

The NFEM said a suspicious vessel was evading PS37 and was not responding to any radio communication—resulting in its interception of the fishing boat with nine crew, including one minor.

An estimate of more than 600 master cases of illicit cigarettes were recovered by the authorities during the conduct of Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure.

The intercepted fishing vessel was towed by PS37 en route back to Headquarters NFEM, Naval Station Felix Apolinario along with its crew for further inspection and proper disposition.