Manila, Aug. 27 -- The Bureau of Customs (BOC) on Thursday acknowledged the Naval Command - Western Mindanao (NCWM) for the series of maritime enforcement operations that intercepted approximately PHP193 million worth of suspected smuggled cigarettes in less than a month.

In a news release, BOC Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno cited the NCWM's sustained vigilance and operational excellence in several operations that delivered "a significant blow to illicit trade activities in the region."

He reported that on Aug. 14, personnel of Naval Task Force 61 intercepted a vessel off Buton Mahablo in Parang, Sulu, carrying approximately PHP170.14 million worth of undocumented foreign-brand cigarettes.

Five crew members and 19 laborers were apprehe...