South Upi, Maguindanao del Sur — Authorities apprehended 375 reams of suspected smuggled cigarettes, valued at approximately ₱294,375, after stopping a vehicle at a police checkpoint in Barangay Romongaob, South Upi, at around 3:15 p.m. on Wednesday, November 12, 2025.
The operation, described by police as intelligence-driven, was conducted by the South Upi Municipal Police Station in coordination with the Regional Intelligence Division of the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (RID PRO BAR), the Police Intelligence Unit (PIU) Maguindanao Sur, and the 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company (PMFC) Maguindanao Provincial Police Office.
The checkpoint team flagged a grey Toyota Innova, plate number KDB 552, driven by a 30-year-old man identified only by his alias “Ken,” a resident of Davao City. Upon inspection, authorities discovered a large striped sack and a trolley bag inside the vehicle, both containing the smuggled cigarettes.
The driver was immediately arrested and is facing charges for violating Republic Act 10863, or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act. The seized cigarettes, along with the vehicle used in the operation, were turned over to the Bureau of Customs for proper documentation and filing of legal charges.
“This successful operation underscores our commitment to combat smuggling activities and uphold the law in our communities,” said police authorities involved in the raid.
The suspect remains in custody at the South Upi MPS pending further investigation and disposition.