Sarangani, Philippines — On the evening of October 10, 2024, a routine mobile patrol led by the Maitum Municipal Police Station (MPS) in collaboration with several law enforcement units, including the 2nd Sarangani Provincial Mobile Force Company (SPMFC), Tracker Team Foxtrot, the 1204th Regional Mobile Force Battalion (RMFB) 12, and the Provincial Intelligence Unit of the Sarangani Police Provincial Office (PIU-SPPO), made a significant discovery while inspecting tourist destinations in the Maitum area of responsibility (AOR).
A concerned citizen alerted the patrolling team to the presence of suspicious, abandoned carton boxes along the shoreline of Barangay Kiambing. The boxes were half-covered with a black sack tarp, prompting immediate verification by the patrol team.
Upon inspection, the team uncovered ten cartons containing smuggled cigarettes. Further examination revealed a variety of cigarette brands, including 347 rims of Marvels and 150 rims of Astro, with a total estimated market value of approximately Php 200,000.
The confiscated items were promptly transported to the Maitum Municipal Police Station for documentation and proper disposition. The smuggled products will be turned over to the Bureau of Customs for further investigation and appropriate action.
