Authorities seized alleged smuggled cigarettes worth around P17.5 million in the island barangay of Bubuan in Hadji Panglima Tahil, Sulu.

Police and agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)-Western Mindanao Regional Office (NBI-WEMRO) launched an operation after receiving reports that some personalities engaged in illegal importation and transshipment of smuggled cigarettes that do not have proper documents, graphic health warning signs, and Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) documentary stamps.

During the operation, a pump boat loaded with around 100,000 packs of alleged smuggled cigarettes was intercepted.

However, suspects escaped upon sensing the approaching operating team at the shore.

Authorities said smugglers have shifted their drop-off points to areas that are not yet known to be smuggling areas following the extensive anti-smuggling operations conducted by government agencies in the main islands of Zamboanga City, Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi.

Suspects reportedly utilized small islands as staging area for smuggled products by loading the items into a pump boat and distributing them in smaller quantities to buyers to evade detection and suspicion by government forces.

NBI-WEMRO is still conducting follow-up operations to identify and arrest the suspects while the seized items were turned over to the Bureau of Customs (BOC).