Kiamba, Sarangani Province — A routine COMELEC checkpoint operation turned into a significant anti-smuggling success on January 23, 2025, as joint personnel of the 3rd Mobile Platoon, 2nd Sarangani Provincial Mobile Force Company, in coordination with Kiamba Municipal Police Station (MPS) and the Bureau of Customs (BOC), intercepted smuggled cigarettes worth over Php 9.2 million.
The operation, under the supervision of PLTCOL Benjiel Kirby L. Bajo, Force Commander, took place along the Kiamba-Maasim national highway in Purok 3, Barangay Katubao, Kiamba. Authorities flagged down a maroon 10-wheeler dump truck bearing plate number WQV 392 during a routine inspection.
Upon inspection, multiple reams and boxes of suspected smuggled cigarettes were seen in plain view inside the vehicle. The driver, identified as alias “Ray,” a resident of Purok Isaac Abalayan, San Jose, Davao Del Sur, failed to provide documentation for the goods, leading to his arrest.
Seized items included 90 boxes of King cigarettes and 82 boxes of New Berlin cigarettes, with a total estimated market value of Php 9,236,400.00. The vehicle, also confiscated during the operation, was marked and inventoried on-site in the presence of an elected Barangay official.
The suspect was informed of his constitutional rights in a language he understood and is currently in the custody of the Kiamba Municipal Police Station, along with the confiscated items, for documentation and legal proceedings.
The Sarangani Provincial Police Office emphasized its unwavering commitment to combat smuggling and other illegal activities, ensuring public safety and upholding the rule of law across the province.