On Sunday, July 9, illegal cigarettes valued at P13.8 million were discovered at Barangay Camudmud, Island Garden City of Samal, Davao del Norte by Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao (NFEM) and the Bureau of Customs (BoC) 11.
In a joint law enforcement operation against smuggling, Naval Task Force 71, BA492 of the 4th Boat Attack Division, Naval Special Operations Unit 7, and BoC apprehended the jungkung vessel FB Alyasra-2, which was carrying smuggled cigarettes, according to NFEM.
The ship was found to be hauling 468 master cases of illicit cigarettes using the Canon brand, with a street value of P13,806,000. Transport of the items began in Sulu.
While its 10 crew members were transported to Camp Panacan Hospital for medical examinations, the aforementioned vessel was hauled to Naval Station Felix Apolinario, Panacan, this city, for temporary custody. The BoC Davao had received the crew, vessel, and confiscated goods for proper handling and the filing of relevant charges.
