The Bureau of Customs - Port of Zamboanga (BOC-POZ) seized a motorized wooden craft worth P400,000.00 carrying illegally imported 482 master cases of cigarettes with an estimated market value of P27.6 million in Barangay Baliwasan, Zamboanga City, on January 26.
The BOC Water Patrol Division (WPD), together with Enforcement and Security Service-Customs Police Division and Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service, led a maritime patrol operation which resulted in the apprehension and seizure of a motor boat marked “FB JFM 2."
Upon inspection, the watercraft, locally known as “jungkong," was found to be loaded with smuggled cigarettes.
The boat’s nine crew members were also detained after failing to present documents to prove the legality of subject importation.
Acting District Collector Arthur G. Sevilla Jr. commended the WPD for the successful maritime security in the area, contributing to the Bureau’s efforts to deter smugglers and prevent the entry of contraband as mandated by Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio.
The seized vessel and the master cases of cigarettes are now under the custody of the Bureau pending seizure and forfeiture proceedings, while the crew were charged with violation of Republic Act No. 10863 (Customs Modernization and Tariff Act of 2016.
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