Manila, Feb. 26 -- The Bureau of Customs (BOC) foiled a suspected maritime smuggling attempt in the Celebes Sea, intercepting a vessel carrying about 3,000 master cases of illicit cigarettes worth an estimated PHP180 million.

The bureau said a bulk carrier in the area was reportedly engaged in transferring cargo at sea.

It added that authorities noticed its irregular maneuvers, prompting monitoring and a joint anti-smuggling operation with the Department of National Defense and the Philippine Navy - Western Mindanao Naval Command.

The vessel was apprehended approximately 52 nautical miles west of Kalamansig Port in Sultan Kudarat.

The team inspected the vessel, revealing cigarettes without supporting documents for lawful importation....