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ZAMBOANGA CITY (MindaNews / 22 February)—Ten Indonesian nationals with P398 million worth of undocumented tobacco products were apprehended on February 1 in the sea off Tawi-Tawi, belated reports from the Naval Forces Western Command (NFWM) said.
Lt. Chester Ross Cabaltera, public affairs officer, said in a press release and subsequent phone interview that the National Coast Watch Center (NCWC) flashed a report citing a suspicious cargo vessel allegedly carrying prohibited drugs and other contraband items intending to transit the waters covered by NFWM area of operations.
On the same day, NFWM’s Naval Task Force-61 assembled a team from various units and agencies to go after the suspected vessel. Operatives eventually intercepted the vessel identified as M/V Samson somewhere south of Pearl Bank (locally called Baabag Sahasa), a small island about 80 kms north of Bongao.
When the boarding team from the Navy’s BRP Nestor Acero (PG901) searched M/V Samson, which was registered under the United Republic of Tanzania, it was found out that the vessel was manned by 10 Indonesian nationals. “A rough estimate of thousands of boxes of undocumented cigarette products were found exposed at the vessel’s cargo hold,” Cabaltera said.
M/V Samson was then escorted to Bongao Port and inspected by personnel from the Bureau of Customs and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, then escorted to this city.
Maj. Jake Lopez, NFWM’s Staff Judge Advocate, reported that the undocumented cigarettes and other tobacco products had an estimated market value of P398.5 million.
Rear Admiral Donn Anthony Miraflor, NFWM commander, said in a phone interview that the vessel is still with them pending response from the Bureau of Immigration while the seized tobacco products are now with the Bureau of Customs. (Frencie L. Carreon / MindaNews)