NAVAL Forces Eastern Mindanao (NFEM), through the Naval Task Force 71 (NTF71), captured a motorized watercraft carrying smuggled cigarettes during a territorial defense operation along the seawaters of Maitum, Sarangani Province on March 6.
Boarding the BRP Rafael Pargas (PC379), one of the Philippine Navy’s floating assets, NTF71 personnel conducted a Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS) to the apprehended watercraft and found approximately 114 master cases of undocumented tobacco products.
The smuggled products came from Jolo, Sulu, and intended to be delivered to Maitum, Sarangani Province.
The PDEA K9 Unit Region-XII is also present to conduct a thorough inspection to detect the presence of illegal drugs.
The captured crew, vessel, and seized items were handed over to the relevant authorities for the filing of necessary charges.
