Isabela City, Basilan — July 10, 2025 — Authorities intercepted a boat carrying smuggled cigarettes worth approximately ₱14.5 million off the coast of Brgy. Luuk Button, Malamawi Island, early Thursday morning, resulting in the arrest of four suspects.
Operatives from the 1st Special Operations Unit – Maritime Group (1st SOU-MG) Basilan Seaborne Command, in coordination with the Isabela City Maritime Law Enforcement Team (RMU9) and Isabela City Police Station (PRO9), launched the maritime interdiction operation at around 5:00 AM and successfully halted M/B RAIZA 1, a jungkong-type vessel.
Confiscated during the operation were:
- 370 master cases (18,500 reams) of alleged smuggled Black Hawk cigarettes, valued at ₱14.5 million
- The M/B RAIZA 1 vessel, estimated to be worth ₱900,000
The four apprehended individuals, all residents of Hadji Panglima Tahil, Jolo, Sulu, reportedly failed to present any legal documents for the cargo on board.
The suspects will be charged with violating Section 7 of Republic Act No. 12022, also known as the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act, which penalizes large-scale smuggling of agricultural products, including tobacco.
Authorities said the operation is part of ongoing efforts to curb smuggling activities in the Zamboanga Peninsula and neighboring island provinces.