COTABATO CITY — Authorities arrested a suspected cigarette smuggler and confiscated more than P171,000 worth of illegal cigarettes during a routine checkpoint operation in Matanog, Maguindanao del Norte, as part of the government’s intensified campaign against smuggling and other unlawful activities in the province.
Police identified the operation as taking place at around 1:50 p.m. on March 7, 2026 in Barangay Bugasan Sur, where personnel of the Matanog Municipal Police Station (MPS) intercepted a vehicle transporting contraband tobacco products.
According to the Maguindanao del Norte Police Provincial Office (MDN PPO), operatives led by Police Major Erwin P. Maylos, officer-in-charge of the Matanog MPS, were conducting a routine checkpoint when they flagged down a maroon Honda Civic driven by a 25-year-old male suspect from Davao City.
During the inspection of the vehicle, police noticed several packs of cigarettes in plain view, prompting authorities to conduct a more thorough search. The inspection led to the discovery of 200 reams of suspected smuggled cigarettes identified as Greenhill Menthol, with an estimated market value of P171,136, based on Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Revenue Regulation No. 017-2025.
Further examination revealed that while some of the cigarettes were visible inside the car, additional packs had been concealed within the vehicle, indicating an attempt to transport the contraband discreetly through the checkpoint.
Authorities immediately confiscated the illegal goods and placed the driver under arrest.
Police said the inventory and proper documentation of the seized items were conducted at the scene in the presence of barangay officials and members of the media to ensure transparency and adherence to legal procedures. The operation was also coordinated with the Bureau of Customs Subport of Parang, which will assist in the processing and verification of the seized products.
The suspect was informed of his constitutional rights and the provisions of the Anti-Torture Law in a dialect he understood before being brought to the Matanog Municipal Police Station for booking procedures and further investigation.
Authorities are now preparing the appropriate charges against the suspect for violations related to the possession and transport of smuggled cigarettes, which undermine government revenue and violate customs and tax regulations.
Police Colonel George D. Bagundol Jr., acting provincial director of the Maguindanao del Norte PPO, commended the operating personnel for their vigilance and dedication in intercepting the illegal shipment.
Bagundol stressed that the provincial police remain steadfast in their campaign to curb smuggling activities in Maguindanao del Norte, noting that such operations are essential in protecting government revenue, maintaining economic stability, and ensuring public safety.
He also reiterated the MDN PPO’s commitment to strengthen checkpoint operations and intelligence-driven initiatives aimed at dismantling networks involved in the illegal trade of tobacco and other smuggled goods across the province.