LEBAK, Sultan Kudarat — Authorities confiscated more than ₱10 million worth of suspected smuggled cigarettes during a patrol operation in Barangay Aurelio Freires on Thursday, February 19, after police noticed suspicious individuals fleeing the area.
Personnel of the Lebak Municipal Police Station, working in coordination with the 2nd Special Kabalikat sa Kapayapaan Mobile Force Company (SKPMFC) and the Police Intelligence Unit, recovered the contraband while conducting routine mobile patrols and monitoring activities related to a recent shooting incident in the barangay.
According to the police report, officers observed two individuals acting suspiciously and running away upon noticing the presence of law enforcers. This prompted the responding team to inspect the surrounding area, where they discovered several boxes believed to contain smuggled cigarettes.
Authorities immediately coordinated with special agents of the Bureau of Customs and a barangay official to conduct a proper inventory of the seized items.
The confiscated haul included 142 boxes of President cigarettes and 98 boxes of ARIS cigarettes, with an estimated valuation of ₱10,268,160, based on the Bureau of Customs assessment.
All seized items were transported to the Lebak Municipal Police Station for documentation and proper disposition, while an investigation is ongoing to determine the source and distribution network of the illegal products.
Police identified the primary suspect as alias “Hamdan,” 48, married, and a resident of the area, who remains at large as authorities continue pursuit operations.
In a statement, Arnold P. Pardiente, regional director of Police Regional Office 12, emphasized the Philippine National Police’s commitment to intensifying the campaign against smuggling and other illegal activities.
“This operation reflects our dedication to curbing the illegal movement of contraband in our communities. I urge our personnel to remain vigilant and encourage the public to support our efforts by reporting any illegal activities. The protection of our citizens and the integrity of commerce are priorities we take seriously,” Pardiente said.
Authorities noted that the discovery of the contraband highlights the continued presence of illicit cigarette trade in parts of the region, which undermines government revenue collection and poses challenges to law enforcement efforts.
Police assured the public that operations against smuggling and other criminal activities will continue, particularly in areas under monitoring due to recent security incidents. Investigators are also working to identify other individuals who may be involved in the illegal transport and storage of the seized cigarettes.