A motor boat containing P84 million worth of cigarretes from Indonesia to be allegedly smuggled into the country was intercepted by the Philippine Navy (PN) off the waters of Baturapac Island, Tandubas in Tawi-Tawi on Wednesday, August 23.
The inspection was made after the Navy received information from the Bureau of Customs' (BOC) Intelligence Group (IG) and the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) in Zamboanga last Wednesday.
During the inspection, the PN Littoral Combat Force BRP Domingo Deluana discovered 2,798 master cases of Oakley Original Cigarettes.
"The team intercepted and inspected the said vessel loaded with master cases of assorted brands of smuggled cigarettes after receiving information from our IG and CIIS Zamboanga," said Customs Commissioner Bien Rubio, in which he praised the agency's Intelligence Group for the quick action and proactive response to the reports they receive.
Intelligence Group Deputy Commissioner Juvymax Uy said that the final inventory of such goods and the motor boat was conducted the same day by the Customs Inventory Team.
It was learned that the group did not expect to discover smuggled cigarettes because, based on the information they received, the motor boat contained smuggled fuel.
"But this was not the case," said Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) Director Verne Enciso, "because it became immediately clear to our agents that the boat was carrying what could be smuggled cigarettes if the owner fails to present the proper documents."
The CIIS-Field Station in Zamboanga immediately contacted BOC Tawi-Tawi personnel and the Office of the District Collector to guard the motor boat until the inventory was started.
The Navy motor boat and elements of PC390 have also been escorted to Bongao Pier.
