LEBAK, Sultan Kudarat — Authorities intercepted a vehicle carrying smuggled cigarettes worth over ₱180,000 during a checkpoint operation along the national highway in Sitio Pangawan, Barangay Christianuevo, Lebak, on Friday afternoon, October 10, 2025.
The operation, conducted at around 1:30 p.m. by personnel of the 2nd Sultan Kudarat Provincial Mobile Force Company (2nd SKPMFC) in coordination with the Lebak Municipal Police Station, led to the arrest of a 23-year-old driver from Barangay Dapdap, Cotabato City. The enforcement team was acting under the supervision of PCOL Bernard L. Lao, Provincial Director of the Sultan Kudarat Police Provincial Office (SKPPO).
Authorities flagged down a violet Suzuki Stingray for routine inspection and discovered several boxes of cigarettes of various brands hidden inside the vehicle. Upon verification, the items were found to be smuggled products, consisting of 140 rims of “Berlin” and 90 rims of “Fort” cigarettes, with an estimated Bureau of Customs (BOC) value of ₱180,734.
The suspect was caught in the act of transporting the illegal goods and was immediately taken into custody. The confiscated cigarettes were turned over to the Bureau of Customs for proper disposition, while the vehicle and suspect remain under the custody of the Lebak Municipal Police Station for the filing of appropriate charges.
In a statement, PCOL Lao commended the personnel involved for their vigilance and commitment to duty, stressing that the successful operation aligns with the directive of PBGEN Arnold P. Ardiente, Regional Director of PRO-12, to intensify efforts against smuggling and other illegal economic activities.
“This successful operation underscores our commitment to support the government’s campaign against smuggling and all other illegal economic activities that harm our local economy,” PCOL Lao said. “The Sultan Kudarat Police Provincial Office will continue to strengthen our law enforcement operations to ensure that those engaging in unlawful trade are held accountable.”
Authorities vowed to maintain strict checkpoint monitoring across the province to curb the transport of contraband and protect legitimate businesses from the impact of smuggling.