BALOI, Lanao del Norte — Personnel of the Baloi Municipal Police Station (BMPS) successfully recovered a large volume of suspected smuggled cigarettes following a motorcycle crash at around 10:30 p.m. on February 13, 2026, along the Baloi–Tagoloan Provincial Road in Barangay East Poblacion, Baloi, Baloi, Lanao del Norte.
Police said they responded swiftly after receiving a report from a barangay kagawad, who was alerted by a concerned citizen about the incident.
Upon arrival, responding officers found a black and red Rusi 150 motorcycle (Delphi type) that had veered off the road and fallen into a drainage canal after reportedly losing balance and hitting a tree. The motorcycle had no license plate and lacked valid registration documents.
Authorities also discovered that the vehicle was carrying three large sacks. Initial information indicated that the driver had been taken by a passing motorist to the Baloi Provincial Hospital for medical treatment.
However, further verification later revealed that the driver did not proceed to the hospital as initially reported, raising suspicions about his whereabouts.
Large Volume of Cigarettes Seized
An on-site inspection and inventory, conducted in the presence of the barangay kagawad, revealed that the sacks contained cigarettes believed to be smuggled. The recovered items included:
- Fifty (50) reams of San Marino White
- Fifty (50) reams of Fortune Cigarettes
- Fifty (50) reams of Canon
In total, authorities confiscated 150 reams of cigarettes with an estimated market value of ₱120,000.
Police said the motorcycle was traveling from Tagoloan, Lanao del Norte toward Baloi Poblacion when the driver allegedly lost control, swerved, and crashed into a tree.
Turnover to Bureau of Customs
The confiscated cigarettes are currently under the custody of BMPS and will be turned over to the Bureau of Customs – Iligan City District Office for proper disposition and further investigation.
Meanwhile, intelligence operatives have launched a discreet probe to identify the motorcycle’s owner and determine the source and intended recipient of the suspected smuggled goods.
Police Commendation
PCOL Leo de Leon Sua, Acting Provincial Director of the Lanao del Norte Police Provincial Office, commended the responding officers for their prompt action and vigilance.
“LDN PPO reiterates its commitment to intensifying efforts against smuggling and other illegal activities within its area of responsibility and urges the public to continue reporting suspicious incidents to authorities,” Sua said.
Authorities emphasized that community cooperation remains crucial in curbing illegal trade and ensuring public safety across the province.