Smuggled cigarettes seized off Zambo
TIMRA Reports • 06:15 AM Tue Oct 1, 2019
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By:
Westmincom news release
ZAMBOANGA CITY -- Naval troops seized 100 cases of smuggled cigarettes from a watercraft intercepted off the waters of Zamboanga on September 28, the Western Mindanao Command said in a statement.
Troops intercepted MV Champion carrying cigarettes smuggled from Indonesia and transported to Sulu through a pre-arranged watercraft at 8:50pm on Saturday. The smuggled items had no internal revenue stamps, violating Section 6 of Republic Act No. 8240 and the Customs Law.
Owned by Elvison Judaini, MV Champion is operated by a certain Boy and two other crew members, Azmil Bin Jerry and Kadil Al-Amin Jilhano.
The smuggled cigarettes included Fort, Astro, Bravo, and Canon Menthol. MV Champion is presently held at Ensign Majini Pier in Bagong Calarian prior its turnover to the Bureau of Customs for proper disposition.
“Naval troops sustain their maritime interdictions and other operations to curb and preempt smuggling and other illegal activities in the operational area,” said Rear Admiral Erick Kagaoan, commander of Naval Forces Western Mindanao.
“We will not tolerate smuggling and illegal activities that impede trade and economic growth in Mindanao. We are impelled to bolster our naval operations to end illegal activities and lawlessness in the area,” said Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, commander of Western Mindanao Command.