Surigao City — Police authorities in Surigao del Norte dealt a major blow to the illegal cigarette trade after intercepting a truckload of smuggled cigarettes valued at ₱700,000 during a pre-dawn operation on January 26, 2026, the Surigao del Norte Police Provincial Office (SDNPPO) reported.
The operation was spearheaded by the Provincial Intelligence Unit (PIU) of the SDNPPO, in coordination with personnel from the 1st Surigao del Norte Provincial Mobile Force Company (PMFC) and the Regional Intelligence Unit 13 (RIU-13). The joint team intercepted a suspect delivery vehicle at around 3:00 a.m. at a police checkpoint in Barangay Luna, Surigao City.
Police identified the intercepted vehicle as a J&T delivery truck, a red-and-white HOWO unit bearing plate number NLA 1419, which was reportedly en route to Tandag City, Surigao del Sur. Intelligence reports indicated that the truck was carrying parcels addressed to a named receiver who had allegedly acknowledged the shipment.
However, as operatives moved in to inspect the vehicle, the driver—identified as a male of legal age from Butuan City, Agusan del Norte—noticed the police presence and fled, abandoning the truck and its cargo. Authorities are also pursuing a male receiver of legal age from Tandag City, who remains at large.
A thorough inspection of the vehicle led to the confiscation of 52 half-cases of Casa Blanca cigarettes and 18 half-cases of Champion cigarettes, all believed to be smuggled and lacking proper documentation. The seized cigarettes, along with the delivery truck, have an estimated total value of ₱700,000.
Police Colonel Warren E. Dablo, Provincial Director of SDNPPO, lauded the successful intelligence-driven operation, emphasizing the importance of inter-agency coordination in curbing high-impact crimes.
“This intelligence-driven operation by the SDN Police shows how collaboration effectively combats high-impact crimes. Smuggling is a serious offense, and we remain committed to enforcing the law and protecting the people of Surigao del Norte,” Dablo said.
The confiscated cigarettes and the vehicle are now under the custody of the SDNPPO Provincial Intelligence Unit for proper documentation and disposition. Authorities said the case constitutes a violation of Republic Act No. 10863, or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, which strictly prohibits the importation, transport, and sale of smuggled goods.
An investigation is ongoing to identify the syndicate behind the shipment and to track down the fleeing suspects, as police intensify their campaign against smuggling operations in the Caraga region.