The Philippine Navy seized alleged smuggled cigarettes worth nearly P40 million in separate operations in Basilan and Zamboanga City during the second week of December 2025.

Personnel of the Western Mindanao Naval Command (WMNC) intercepted a motorized banca around 3.7 nautical miles northeast of Kaulauanauan Island in Basilan on December 9.

Upon inspection, authorities discovered boxes of undocumented tobacco products worth more than P7 million.

On December 12, WMNC personnel apprehended another motorized vessel operating without navigating lights and at high speed in the waters of Recodo, Zamboanga City.

Authorities found undocumented tobacco products inside the vessel worth nearly P3 million.

Meanwhile, a fishing banca was intercepted some 10.5 nautical miles southeast of Tolonpisa Island, Basilan on December 14, after naval units detected suspected concealed cargo on board.

During inspection, authorities found boxes of undocumented foreign brand cigarettes worth nearly P30 million.

The seized items, vessels, and crew members arrested during the three operations were turned over to the National Bureau of Investigation-Western Mindanao Regional Office (NBI-WEMRO).

“The three (3) apprehensions had a combined estimated market value of approximately P39,886,152.00. These operational successes reaffirm WMNC’s unwavering commitment to countering maritime smuggling, strengthening coastal security, and safeguarding the country’s maritime borders in support of national security objectives and the Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept (CADC),” WMNC said.