Cagayan de Oro City — Police seized an estimated ₱1.2 million worth of smuggled cigarettes and arrested two men in Nunungan, Lanao del Norte, following a failed attempt to evade a checkpoint on Wednesday evening, August 20, 2025.
The suspects, identified as Saide, 29, married, and Baste, 29, single, both residents of Tubod, Lanao del Norte, were apprehended after operatives caught them transporting the contraband aboard a red Toyota Innova.
According to reports, personnel of the Nunungan Municipal Police Station (MPS) were on mobile patrol when they received a tip from concerned citizens about a suspicious vehicle parked at Purok 1, Barangay Masibay, roughly 40 meters away from an active checkpoint. Authorities suspected the vehicle was parked deliberately to avoid inspection.
Joint forces from the Nunungan MPS, 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Company (PMFC), and the Maritime Monitoring Team of Lanao del Norte MARSTA responded and immediately verified the information. Through the vehicle’s open window, operatives saw several boxes of cigarettes. When questioned, the suspects failed to present legal documents for the shipment.
Confiscated items included 11 master cases of New Far (Red), 10 master cases of New Far (Green), three master cases of New Berlin (Red), three master cases of Fort, and three master cases of Cannon. Authorities said the shipment originated from Sultan Naga Dimaporo and was bound for Tubod, Lanao del Norte.
The suspects and the seized cigarettes are now under the custody of the Nunungan MPS and will be turned over to the Bureau of Customs in Iligan City for proper disposition.
Police Regional Office 10 (PRO10) Regional Director PBGen Rolindo M. Suguilon lauded both the swift response of the police and the vigilance of the community that led to the interception.
“This accomplishment shows that criminals cannot escape the law by simply evading checkpoints. The vigilance of our citizens and the quick response of our police personnel ensured that this illegal shipment was stopped. PRO10 will continue to intensify operations to protect our economy and communities from the dangers of smuggling,” Suguilon said.
Authorities assured the public that anti-smuggling operations will be sustained across Northern Mindanao to prevent the entry and distribution of illicit goods.