THE NAVAL Forces Eastern Mindanao (NFEM) intercepted a Jungkong-type watercraft carrying P43.5 million worth of undocumented foreign-brand cigarettes in the waters of Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur, on Nov. 5, 2025.
The operation was the result of a confidential tip from a concerned citizen regarding a suspicious vessel near Barangay Bato, Sta. Cruz.
In response, the Naval Task Force 71 deployed a SEAL Team from the Naval Special Warfare Unit 7 and the BA481 of the 3rd Boat Attack Division to verify the report. They quickly located the vessel, identified as M/L Fatima Shakira, in the area.
After the watercraft failed to respond to a radio challenge, the SEAL team intercepted the vessel and conducted a visit, board, search, and seizure (VBSS) operation.
The team seized 1,107 boxes of foreign-brand cigarettes with an estimated value of P43.5 million.
Upon verification, it was revealed that ML Fatima Shakira was registered to Alsamer M. Jafaar of Lantawan, Basilan, manned by 12 Filipino crew members led by Master Nurhan Sabtula.
They face a charge of violating Republic Act No. 10863, otherwise known as the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act of 2016, in relation to Executive Order No. 245 governing the exportation and importation of tobacco products.
During questioning, the vessel’s master admitted that the contraband originated from North Sulawesi, Indonesia, and was bound for Barangay Bato.
The impounded vessel was escorted by BA481 of the 3rd Boat Attack Division to the Naval Station Felix Apolinario (NSFA) in Panacan, Davao City. The smuggled cargo was turned over to the Bureau of Customs.
Additionally, personnel from the Seaport Interdiction Unit of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA-XI), assisted by sniffing dogs, conducted a thorough inspection of the cargo to check for hidden illegal drugs.
