POLOMOLOK, SOUTH COTABATO — The intensified anti-smuggling campaign of the South Cotabato Police Provincial Office (SCPPO), under the strong leadership of Provincial Director PCOL Samuel T. Cadungon, has led to another major breakthrough following the successful confiscation of smuggled cigarettes in Polomolok.
At around 5:00 p.m. on October 12, 2025, joint operatives from the Regional Intelligence Division 12 (RID 12) Tracker Team Charlie, 1205th Maneuver Company of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 12 (RMFB 12), and the Polomolok Municipal Police Station carried out an anti-smuggling operation along Kalayaan Street, Polomolok Public Market, Barangay Poblacion.
The operation resulted in the arrest of a 52-year-old woman, identified by the alias “Ja-Ja,” a resident of Barangay Lapu, Polomolok.
Authorities recovered various brands of smuggled cigarettes from her possession, with an estimated market value of ₱78,500, including:
30 rims of Cannon
9 rims of New Berlin
27 rims of New Aris
3 rims of King
6 rims of Tobaco
2 rims of Gudang Gading
6 rims of Gajah Babu
18 rims of Fort
The seized items were brought to the Polomolok Municipal Police Station for proper documentation and will be turned over to the Bureau of Customs in General Santos City for appropriate disposition.
The suspect was informed of her constitutional rights and now faces charges for violation of Republic Act 10863, or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA).
PCOL Cadungon commended the operating units for their vigilance and commitment to curbing the illegal entry of goods into the province. He reaffirmed the SCPPO’s firm support for the national government’s campaign against smuggling and other illicit trade activities, underscoring the police’s role in protecting the local economy and legitimate businesses.
“Our anti-smuggling operations will continue without letup. We will ensure that those who attempt to profit from illegal trade are held accountable,” PCOL Cadungon said.