Malungon, Sarangani Province โ October 18, 2024
Personnel of the Malungon Municipal Police Station seized PHP 760,000 worth of smuggled cigarettes during a checkpoint operation along the National Highway in Barangay Malandag, Malungon. The operation, conducted by the Sarangani Police Provincial Office, resulted in the arrest of one suspect and the recovery of a significant amount of illegal tobacco products.
Police flagged down an Isuzu forward truck wing van during the checkpoint. Upon inspection, the driver switched on the cabin light, revealing 20 reams of suspected smuggled assorted cigarettes in plain view on the front seat. When officers asked for documentation for the items, the suspects failed to provide any.
The driver, identified only as alias “Aljohn,” managed to escape in the darkness, evading arrest. However, the truck helper, identified as alias “Rom,” a 34-year-old resident of Purok 3, Poblacion Laak, Davao de Oro, was apprehended at the scene.
During initial questioning, the helper admitted that the truck was loaded with smuggled cigarettes and voluntarily opened the back of the vehicle, where authorities discovered an additional 30 boxes of assorted smuggled cigarettes. The total market value of the confiscated items is estimated at PHP 760,000.
Both the suspect and the seized cigarettes were placed under the custody of the Malungon Municipal Police Station for proper documentation and further legal proceedings. Authorities are now investigating the incident further and are on the lookout for the escaped driver.
This successful operation highlights the ongoing efforts of the Sarangani police in curbing smuggling activities and ensuring that contraband does not make its way into local markets.
