Navy intercepts P43.5-M smuggled foreign cigarettes

The Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao (NFEM) intercepted a wooden cargo vessel carrying an estimated P43.5 million worth of undocumented foreign-brand cigarettes off the waters of Barangay Bato, Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur, on Wednesday.

According to an NFEM report, naval units immediately deployed a SEAL Team from the Naval Special Warfare Unit 7 (NSWU7) and BA491 of the 3rd Boat Attack Division after receiving intelligence about a watercraft suspected of conducting illegal activities.

The units launched a maritime law enforcement and interdiction operation. Upon arrival in the reported vicinity, the teams spotted the vessel, M/L Fatima Shakira, in transit.

The SEAL team intercepted the vessel and initiated a Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) operation after the crew failed to respond to radio challenges from the naval assets.

Upon inspection, M/L Fatima Shakira was found to be owned by Alsamer M. Jafaar of Lantawan, Basilan, and was manned by 12 Filipino crew members led by Master Nurhan Sabtula. The vessel was loaded with 1,107 boxes of undocumented foreign-brand cigarettes.

The vessel’s master admitted during questioning that the contraband originated from North Sulawesi, Indonesia, and was bound for Barangay Bato, Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur.

The haul violates Republic Act 10863, or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act of 2016, in relation to Executive Order 245, which governs the exportation and importation of tobacco products.

Following standard procedures, a prize crew was placed aboard the seized vessel, which was then escorted by the naval assets to the Naval Station Felix Apolinario in Panacan, Davao City.

Personnel from the Bureau of Customs inspected the vessel and unloaded the smuggled cigarettes upon arrival.

Additionally, the Seaport Interdiction Unit of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Region XI, assisted by sniffing dogs, inspected the cargo for any concealed illegal drugs.

After necessary documentation was completed, the vessel and the seized cigarettes were officially turned over to the Bureau of Customs for proper disposition and investigation. The NFEM stated that the operation underscores its commitment to enforcing maritime laws and preventing transnational crimes within Philippine maritime borders.