ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — Naval Special Operations Forces intercepted an unnamed motorized boat carrying approximately ₱5.51 million worth of cigarettes without the required permits near Grande Santa Cruz Island on October 27, the Naval Command Western Mindanao (NCWM) reported.
The operation was the third maritime interdiction in a series conducted by the NCWM from October 9 to 27, 2026, targeting vessels suspected of transporting contraband cigarettes in Western Mindanao waters.
According to the naval command, its special operations personnel surrounded the unmarked motorized boat near Grande Santa Cruz Island in Zamboanga City and recovered approximately 20 to 25 boxes of cigarettes that lacked the necessary permits.
The estimated value of the seized boat and its cargo was placed at ₱5.51 million.
The interception formed part of a broader campaign that resulted in the seizure of three vessels carrying undocumented cigarettes, with the combined estimated value of the boats and their cargoes reaching ₱110,907,467.20.
The other two vessels, the M/B Nylanra and M/B Sparrow, were intercepted in separate operations off Zamboanga Sibugay earlier in October.
Following the October 27 operation, the seized boat, its cargo and its crew members were taken to Naval Station Romulo Espaldon for documentation before being formally turned over to the Bureau of Customs–Port of Zamboanga for appropriate disposition.
The NCWM said the operations were carried out in accordance with established procedures, with due consideration for the rights and welfare of the crew members.
Rear Admiral Constancio Arturo M. Reyes Jr., commander of the NCWM, praised the personnel and units involved in the interdictions, saying the operations demonstrated the command’s commitment to protecting the country’s maritime routes and economic interests.
He also emphasized continued coordination with partner law enforcement agencies to combat illegal activities in Western Mindanao’s waters.
The naval command did not disclose the identities of the crew members aboard the unnamed boat or provide further details on the origin and intended destination of the cigarette shipment. It also did not specify whether charges had been filed in connection with the incident.
The case adds to the NCWM’s recent maritime enforcement operations aimed at preventing the movement of undocumented cigarette shipments through the waters of Western Mindanao.