JOLO, Sulu — Police operatives of the Jolo Municipal Police Station (MPS) confiscated four boxes of suspected smuggled cigarettes worth more than ₱171,000 during an anti-criminality checkpoint operation on Friday night, December 27, 2025.
At around 9:45 p.m., personnel led by PCPT Frederick C. Ledama, Deputy Chief of Police, under the supervision of Jolo Police Chief PLTCOL Annidul M. Sali, intercepted an abandoned black Bajaj RE motorized tricycle with no plate number parked along the roadside in Barangay Walled City.
Upon inspection, authorities discovered the vehicle loaded with four boxes of Bravo-brand cigarettes — each valued at ₱57,300, bringing the total estimated value to ₱171,300.
Police noted that the individuals responsible for transporting the contraband may have fled upon seeing the checkpoint.
The seized items were documented and transported to the Jolo MPS headquarters, where they are temporarily kept pending turnover to the Bureau of Customs for proper disposition.
PLTCOL Sali reaffirmed the Jolo police’s commitment to suppress the illegal entry and distribution of smuggled goods in the municipality.
“Our checkpoints and intensified operations are meant to ensure that unlawful activities, especially smuggling, will not thrive in Jolo,” he said in a statement.
Authorities are currently conducting follow-up investigations to identify the individuals behind the incident. Citizens are encouraged to report suspicious activities through the Jolo MPS hotline: 0916-432-4238.