BALOI, Lanao del Norte — Authorities intercepted and seized around 300 reams of suspected smuggled cigarettes worth an estimated ₱240,000 during a checkpoint operation on the morning of February 25, 2026, in Purok 3, Barangay Nangka, Baloi, Lanao del Norte.
The operation was carried out by personnel of the Philippine National Police assigned at the Baloi Municipal Police Station (MPS), who were conducting routine checkpoint inspections along the area when they flagged down a Honda sedan at approximately 9:50 a.m.
Police identified the driver only by the alias “Ajis,” 26, who was traveling with a passenger identified as alias “Francis,” 47. Both individuals are residents of Zamboanga City.
According to initial police reports, officers became suspicious after noticing several boxes loaded inside the vehicle during the inspection. A closer examination revealed that the boxes contained cigarettes bearing the “Modern” brand, which authorities believe were illegally transported and possibly smuggled into the country without proper documentation or payment of customs duties.
The confiscated cigarettes, along with the vehicle used in the transport, were immediately brought to the Baloi MPS for proper documentation and temporary custody. Authorities are now preparing the items for turnover to the Bureau of Customs office in Iligan City, which will conduct further verification and initiate the appropriate legal proceedings under existing customs and anti-smuggling laws.
Police said the checkpoint operation forms part of intensified efforts to curb the proliferation of smuggled goods in the province and nearby areas, noting that illegal cigarette trade continues to undermine government revenues and pose challenges to law enforcement operations.
Investigators are also looking into the possible source and intended distribution of the seized cigarettes, as well as determining whether the suspects are linked to a larger smuggling network operating in the region.
Authorities reiterated their commitment to sustain strict checkpoint operations and intelligence-driven initiatives to intercept illegal commodities entering or passing through key routes in Lanao del Norte and neighboring provinces.