GENERAL SANTOS CITY — Police authorities confiscated hundreds of reams of smuggled cigarettes early Wednesday morning after a bonggo truck figured in an accident along Diversion Road, Barangay Apopong.
According to the Makar Police Station, around 674 reams of suspected smuggled cigarettes were recovered from the vehicle driven by a certain Maksil Ahaddi Sali, who immediately fled the scene following the incident that occurred at around 2:30 a.m. near Purok 15.
Responding officers said they received a report about a vehicular mishap and, upon arrival, discovered several cartons of cigarettes and comforters scattered on the road. Authorities estimated the total value of the confiscated contraband at ₱531,460.
The seized cigarettes were turned over to the Bureau of Customs (BOC) for proper disposition, while the truck is now under the custody of the Traffic Enforcement Unit (TEU)–Gensan.
Police said initial findings also showed that the truck was carrying 19 blankets and 9 cartons of smuggled cigarettes, believed to have been intended for illegal distribution within the region.
Investigations are ongoing to locate the driver and trace the source and intended destination of the smuggled items. Law enforcers have intensified their monitoring efforts as smuggling activities continue to proliferate in parts of SOCCSKSARGEN, despite repeated warnings and government crackdowns.