Philippine Navy Intercepts Vessel With P4M Smuggled Goods

The Philippine Navy in Western Mindanao confiscated over 4 million pesos worth of smuggled goods aboard a vessel they intercepted while on maritime patrol in the waters of Tawi-tawi. Maj. Gamal Hayudini, Southern Command information office chief, said that the smuggled goods were confiscated aboard the wooden-hull M/L Elena they intercepted 1.5 nautical miles northwest of Simunul island. Hayudini said the confiscated goods, which comprise of assorted foodstuffs not covered with importation papers, came from nearby Sandakan, Sabah, Malaysia. M/L Elena, manned by a crew of 15, is owned by a certain Hadji Abdurahal of Bongao town, the capital of Tawi-tawi, according to Hayudini. He said the apprehending Navy personnel brought the vessel and the goods to the Bureau of Customs office in Bongao for proper disposition.