AUTHORITIES have confiscated P1.6 million worth of smuggled cigarettes in a law enforcement operation in the province of Sulu, the police said Saturday, April 12, 2025.
Police Brigadier General Romeo Macapaz, director of the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (Pro-Bar), said the smuggled cigarettes were seized on the evening of Tuesday, April 8, in Lagundi Drive, Barangay Tulay, Jolo, Sulu.
Macapaz said the police were conducting checkpoint operations when they noticed a vehicle parked suspiciously just a few meters from the checkpoint.
“Upon inspection, the vehicle was found abandoned and loaded with boxes of smuggled cigarettes,” Macapaz said in a statement.
Macapaz added that despite efforts to locate the owner, the police were unable to identify or apprehend anyone at the scene, prompting them to secure both the vehicle and its contents.
He said that 45 boxes of smuggled cigarettes worth P1,665,000 were confiscated. The vehicle had no registered plate number.
He also stated that the confiscated cigarettes and the vehicle are now under the custody of the Jolo Municipal Police Station for documentation and will be handed over to the Bureau of Customs for further processing and appropriate legal action.
The checkpoint operation was jointly conducted by personnel from the Jolo Municipal Police Station and the 1404th Regional Mobile Force Company of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion-14.
Macapaz commended the personnel involved for their vigilance and dedication to upholding the law.
He encouraged all units to continue their efforts to identify and apprehend individuals involved in smuggling activities. (SunStar Zamboanga)