SULU, Philippines — Authorities from the Police Regional Office of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO BAR) seized an estimated ₱760,000 worth of smuggled cigarettes during a joint patrol operation in Barangay San Raymundo, Jolo, Sulu, on August 23, 2025.
Police reported that 20 boxes of undocumented cigarettes were intercepted and recovered during the operation. The confiscated items are currently under the custody of the Jolo Municipal Police Station and will be turned over to the Bureau of Customs (BOC) for proper disposition.
PBGEN Jaysen C. De Guzman, PRO BAR Regional Director, lauded the coordinated efforts of the Jolo Municipal Police Station and the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 14-B in stopping the illegal shipment.
“This successful operation highlights PRO BAR’s firm commitment to law enforcement and to protecting the public from unregulated and potentially harmful tobacco products,” De Guzman said.
Authorities assured that intensified patrols and operations will continue in the region to curb the smuggling of cigarettes and other contraband goods.