LEBAK, Sultan Kudarat — A joint law enforcement operation led by the Police Regional Office 12 (PRO-12) in close coordination with the Bureau of Customs resulted in the seizure of nearly ₱8.9 million worth of smuggled cigarettes during the simultaneous implementation of search warrants in the early hours of January 22, 2026.
At around 3:37 a.m., joint operatives from the Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit 12 (RPDEU-12), along with the Regional Intelligence Division 12, Regional Intelligence Unit 12, Regional Mobile Force Battalion 12, the Lebak Municipal Police Station, and BOC-12, served multiple search warrants in Barangay Tibpuan and Barangay Poblacion 3 in the municipality of Lebak.
The warrants were originally issued for alleged violations of Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002) and Republic Act 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act). However, instead of illegal drugs and firearms, authorities uncovered hundreds of boxes of undocumented foreign cigarettes during the lawful searches.
From the residence of alias “Chong,” identified as a businessman, operatives recovered 86 boxes of assorted cigarettes—82 cases of President, three cases of D&J, and one case of Commissioner—with an estimated value of ₱3,679,080.
Meanwhile, at the residence of alias “Yash,” a former Philippine National Police member who is currently AWOL, authorities seized 123 boxes consisting of D&J, New Belin, Gajah Baru, and Forth cigarettes, valued at ₱5,258,250.
In total, 209 boxes of smuggled cigarettes were confiscated, with a combined market value of ₱8,934,750, based on the appraisal of the Bureau of Customs.
Search operations conducted at the residences of alias “Al” and alias “Aman” yielded negative results, as no contraband or evidence was recovered from the two locations.
According to PLt. Col. Joseph Galleto, Chief of the Lebak Municipal Police Station, the joint task force was focused on serving warrants related to drugs and firearms when they unexpectedly stumbled upon what he described as “toneladang kontrabando” or massive quantities of smuggled cigarettes.
The two primary suspects—alias “Chong” and alias “Yash”—along with two other individuals, were not present during the operation and remain at large after reportedly fleeing prior to the arrival of authorities.
Police said the inventory and marking of the seized items were conducted at the place of seizure in the presence of a barangay kagawad, media representatives, and a Bureau of Customs official who participated via video conference, ensuring transparency and strict compliance with standard operating procedures.
All seized items are currently under the custody of RPDEU-12 for proper documentation and safekeeping and will be formally turned over to the Bureau of Customs for appropriate disposition and the filing of charges for violations of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.
The Police Regional Office 12 reiterated its commitment to sustained inter-agency operations to curb smuggling and other organized crimes in Central Mindanao.