BARIRA, Maguindanao del Norte — Operatives of the Police Regional Office Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO BAR) intercepted a shipment of smuggled cigarettes worth more than ₱865,000 during a joint checkpoint operation in Barangay Poblacion, Barira, on January 5, 2026.
The operation was carried out by personnel of the 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company, 3rd Maneuver Platoon, in coordination with the Barira Municipal Police Station. Authorities flagged down a vehicle during the checkpoint, but the driver failed to present valid documents for the cigarettes being transported.
As a result, one suspect was arrested for violation of Republic Act No. 10845, or the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016.
Confiscated from the operation were one vehicle and assorted smuggled cigarettes totaling 1,102 reams, with an estimated market value of ₱865,070.00. The suspect and seized items were brought to the Barira Municipal Police Station for proper documentation and the filing of appropriate charges.
PRO BAR Regional Director PBGEN Jaysen C. De Guzman underscored the police force’s firm stance against smuggling and other illegal activities in the region.
“PRO BAR remains committed to the strict enforcement of laws against smuggling and other illegal activities. We will continue to intensify checkpoint operations and strengthen coordination to protect public interest and maintain peace and order in the Bangsamoro region,” De Guzman said.
Authorities reiterated that intensified checkpoints and inter-agency cooperation will remain in place as part of ongoing efforts to curb smuggling operations and safeguard legitimate trade in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region.