The Philippine Navy’s Western Mindanao Naval Command (WMNC) and local police seize nearly P99 million worth of smuggled foreign-brand cigarettes in separate operations in Sulu. In a maritime interdiction on Thursday, June 18, the Navy’s Naval Task Force 61 and its operating units intercept two vessels in the Sulu area. One operation involves the M/B Aslinda southeast of Cabucan Island, Hadji Panglima Tahil in Sulu. Authorities say the crew does not present valid cargo and vessel documents, and investigators find 305 master cases of foreign-brand cigarettes. The other maritime interception occurs in the Sulu Sea during the same period, according to WMNC statements. Separately, police confiscate about P5 million worth of contraband cigarettes in Jolo, two days earlier, based on the report. After the seizures, the Navy turns the confiscated cigarettes over to relevant authorities for processing, including the Bureau of Customs (BOC) in Zamboanga, Port of Zamboanga, as described in the coverage.