Madalum, Lanao del Sur – Police officers intercepted three individuals and confiscated 13 boxes of smuggled cigarettes valued at Php 481,000 during a routine checkpoint in Barangay Linuk on October 22, 2024.
The suspects, all legal-age residents of Bacolod Kalawi, Lanao del Sur, were apprehended for violating Republic Act 10643, the Graphic Health Warning Law. The incident occurred when police flagged down a pedicab motorcycle with plate number 113467. The vehicle was found carrying several boxes of cigarettes without the mandated health warnings, raising suspicion among the officers at the checkpoint.
Upon inspection, which was conducted in the presence of a barangay official, the individuals were unable to present documents from the Bureau of Customs proving the legality of their cargo. This led to the confiscation of 13 boxes of assorted cigarettes, including foreign brands such as Union, Platinum, Cannon, and San Marino. The haul included four boxes of Union, one box each of Platinum and Cannon, and seven sacks containing 50 reams of San Marino cigarettes, all lacking required labels and health warnings.
The individuals and the seized cigarettes were transported to the Madalum Municipal Police Station for documentation and booking. The smuggled goods will be handed over to the Bureau of Customs for proper custody.
In a statement, Police Regional Office Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO BAR) Regional Director PBGEN Romeo J. Macapaz commended the swift action of the Madalum police, emphasizing their dedication to curbing illegal activities and safeguarding local businesses from counterfeit products in the region.
This operation marks another successful effort by law enforcement to protect public health and uphold laws on tobacco regulation. Authorities remain vigilant in their fight against the illicit trade of tobacco products in the region.
