Lieutenant Commander Reynante Villela, public affairs officer of NFEM said they apprehended a motorized banca identified as MB Sharefa spotted unloading suspected smuggled goods.
He said that during the conduct of maritime patrol, they observed via FLIR camera about 20 individuals transferring boxes from a beached vessel to the shoreline. However, when the Navy personnel moved in and issued a warning, the said individuals fled, he said.
The authorities seized 800 master cases undocumented foreign-brand cigarettes with an estimated market value of P20 million.
The vessel was then towed and escorted to Naval Station Felix Apolinario in Panacan, Davao City.
The Bureau Customs (BOC) personnel immediately conducted an inspection on MB Sharefa and unloaded its cargoes.
PDEA 11, meanwhile, assisted by their sniffing dogs, also launched further inspection of the cargo for possible illegal drugs.
The watercraft and the seized cigarettes were turned over to the BOC for proper disposition.
📸NFEM
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