Lanao del Norte, Philippines — Authorities from the Sultan Naga Dimaporo Municipal Police Station (SND MPS) in coordination with the 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Company (PMFC) and Lanao del Norte Police Provincial Office (LDN PPO) successfully seized Php 2.32 million worth of smuggled cigarettes in an anti-smuggling operation along the shorelines of Sultan Naga Dimaporo, Lanao del Norte, early on November 11, 2024.
According to police reports, the operation took place around 1:30 a.m. as police personnel conducted a foot patrol along the coast. During the patrol, officers noticed a group of individuals unloading boxes from a motorized boat. Upon approach and questioning, authorities determined that the boxes contained various brands of smuggled cigarettes, which lacked the required Graphical Health Warning Stamps.
The suspects, later identified as residents of Jolo, Sulu, were found to be in violation of Republic Act (RA) 8424, known as the Tax Reform Act of 1997, and RA 10643, the Graphic Health Warning Law. The six suspects, aged between 19 and 75, were arrested and taken into custody.
The seized items included:
- 24 master boxes of Astro brand (green), each containing 50 reams,
- 11 master boxes of Champion brand (green), each containing 50 reams,
- 20 master boxes of Astro brand (red), each containing 50 reams,
- 2 large cellophanes of Astro brand (green), each containing 50 reams,
- 1 master box of Fort brand (green), containing 50 reams, and
- 1 motorized boat used to transport the goods.
Each box of cigarettes was valued at approximately Php 40,000, bringing the total value of the confiscated items to Php 2,320,000. The cigarettes and motorized boat were taken to SND MPS for documentation, and the Bureau of Customs (BOC) in Iligan City was notified to handle further disposition of the items.
Police Colonel Roy A. Magsalay, Provincial Director of the Lanao del Norte PPO, praised the successful operation, saying, “This operation demonstrates our continued vigilance against the illegal trade of smuggled cigarettes in Lanao del Norte. We remain committed to upholding the law and protecting both public health and government revenue.”
This seizure marks a significant step in local efforts to curb smuggling activities and reinforce public health initiatives through the enforcement of tobacco regulation laws.
