LINAMON, Lanao del Norte — Police operatives from the 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company of the Lanao del Norte Police Provincial Office (LDN PPO) intercepted an estimated ₱600,000 worth of smuggled cigarettes during a checkpoint operation on February 17, 2026, at Barangay Samburon, Linamon, Lanao del Norte.
Authorities were conducting routine inspections along a key thoroughfare in Linamon, Lanao del Norte when they flagged down a black metallic Toyota Avanza driven by a 30-year-old married man, accompanied by a 26-year-old married male passenger. Both individuals are residents of Purok 1A, Poblacion, Linamon.
During the inspection, police discovered several sacks of suspected smuggled cigarettes in plain view on the vehicle’s back seat. When questioned, the driver failed to present any valid documents authorizing the transport or sale of the items. A more thorough search further revealed that the vehicle’s compartment was also packed with illegal cigarettes.
Authorities confiscated a total of 750 reams, consisting of 200 reams of Cannon Menthol cigarettes and 550 reams of Modern cigarettes, with an estimated market value of ₱600,000.00.
Following standard procedures, the suspects and the seized items were brought to the Linamon Municipal Police Station for documentation and further processing. The vehicle and confiscated cigarettes are currently under the custody of the 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company and are pending turnover to the Bureau of Customs for proper disposition and legal action.
The Acting Provincial Director, Leo De Leon Sua, commended the personnel involved in the successful operation, citing their vigilance and discipline in enforcing checkpoint protocols.
He emphasized that the interception was a direct result of the unit’s intensified checkpoint strategy, which aims to curb the entry and distribution of illicit goods in the province.
“This operation reflects our commitment to protecting the public and safeguarding government revenues from illegal trade,” De Leon Sua said. “We will continue strengthening our presence in strategic areas to deter smuggling and other criminal activities.”
Police officials reiterated their call for public cooperation and encouraged residents to report suspicious activities, stressing that community support remains vital in the ongoing campaign against smuggling and other forms of organized crime.