The Philippine Navy on Monday said its BRP Rafael Pargas (PC379) intercepted P7 million estimated worth of smuggled cigarettes being transported along the seawaters southwest of Maitum, Sarangani over the weekend.
The BRP Rafael Pargas, under the operational control of Naval Task Force 71, was conducting maritime patrol operations when it noticed a suspicious motorized banca sailing in the area.
The navy immediately apprehended the boat's six crew and escorted them to the RDEX Pier, Calumpang, General Santos City for questioning.
Based on initial inspection, the authorities accounted for a total of 280 master cases of smuggled Fort and Berlin cigarettes without proper documents, resulting in the confiscation of the illegal items.
The Philippine Navy said the confiscated smuggled items were turned over to the Bureau of Customs for safekeeping and proper disposition.