AUTHORITIES intercepted a shipment of some P1.37 million worth of smuggled cigarettes in a law enforcement operation in the province of Maguindanao del Norte, the police said Sunday, August 23, 2026.
Police Brigadier General Christopher Abecia, Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR) director, said the shipment was seized around 9:42 p.m. Friday, August 21, in Sitio Teba, Bugasan Sur village, Matanog, Maguindanao del Norte.
Abecia said the smuggled cigarettes aboard on three vehicles were seized by personnel of the Matanog Municipal Police Station together with personnel of the Maguindanao Maritime Police Station during the conduct of a joint routine checkpoint operation in Sitio Teba, Bugasan Sur village.
“During the operation, three drivers allegedly attempted to evade the checkpoint but were subsequently flagged down. Upon visual inspection, police personnel observed several master cases of suspected smuggled cigarettes inside the vehicles,” Abecia said in his report.
He said the assorted cigarettes were seized after the drivers of the three vehicles failed to present valid documents covering the transport and possession of the cargo.
Seized from the three vehicles were 32 master cases of assorted smuggled cigarettes worth P1,369,600. The three drivers were placed under arrest for alleged violations of Article 151 of the Revised Penal Code, the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, and the Tobacco Regulation Act.
The three suspects, together with the three motor vehicles and the confiscated suspected smuggled cigarettes, are currently under the custody of Matanog Municipal Police Station for proper disposition.
Abecia commended the operating units for the successful conduct of the law enforcement operation.
“We commend the vigilance, coordination, and professionalism of our personnel and partner units, whose collective efforts led to the successful interception of the alleged smuggled goods,” Abecia said.
He said the Pro-Bar remains committed to strengthening law enforcement operations, border control, and checkpoint security to prevent illegal activities and ensure that violators are held accountable.
He added that they will continue to work together to protect the safety and welfare of the communities. (SunStar Zamboanga)