LAWMEN have arrested three individuals and seized an estimated P12.5 million worth of contrabands and a firearm in a law enforcement operation in Sulu, the police said Wednesday, July 30, 2025.
The Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR), did not release the identities of the three individuals who were arrested Wednesday, July 30, in Tubig Putih village, Luuk, Sulu.
The PRO-BAR said the three were arrested after they were caught transporting smuggled cigarettes when policemen of Luuk flagged down a convoy of three vehicles for inspection while conducting a checkpoint operation in Tubig Putih village.
Seized from the three vehicles were 233 master cases of smuggled cigarettes with an estimated market value of P12.5 million.
Upon further inspection, the policemen discovered that one of the three drivers had a .45 caliber pistol, along with three magazines containing 21 rounds of ammunition.
The three drivers, items, including the smuggled cigarettes and firearm, are currently under the custody of Luuk Municipal Police Station, pending further investigation and disposition.
The authorities continue to investigate the suspects' involvement in smuggling activities in the province of Sulu.
Police Brigadier General Jaysen De Guzman, PRO-BAR director, lauded the operatives behind this successful law enforcement operation.
De Guzman said the law enforcement operation is a demonstration of PRO-BAR's unwavering commitment to combating smuggling and upholding the law. (SunStar Zamboanga)