DATU ODIN SINSUAT, Maguindanao del Norte — Authorities intercepted nearly half a million pesos worth of suspected smuggled cigarettes and arrested two individuals during an intelligence-driven checkpoint operation along the Cotabato–Shariff Aguak Road early Monday morning, March 10.
Police said the operation, conducted at around 7:00 a.m. in Poblacion Dalican, resulted in the confiscation of suspected smuggled cigarettes with an estimated market value of ₱427,840.
According to the Maguindanao del Norte Police Provincial Office (MDN PPO), the operation was carried out by personnel of the Datu Odin Sinsuat Municipal Police Station, led by PCPT Klyde John O. Albores, Deputy Chief of Police for Operations. The team worked in coordination with the Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit/Provincial Special Operations Group (PDEU/PSOG-MDN).
Authorities arrested two suspects during the operation — a 41-year-old driver and a 20-year-old tricycle driver, both residents of Cotabato City.
Police said the suspects were intercepted while transporting ten boxes of suspected smuggled cigarettes labeled “FOR EXPORT ONLY – New Berlin.” The shipment was equivalent to 500 reams of cigarettes and was being transported using a white Toyota Hilux Tamaraw 2.4 FX.
The operation stemmed from intelligence information provided by a regular confidential informant, indicating that a shipment of smuggled cigarettes was being transported from Cotabato City and was bound for Talayan, Maguindanao del Sur.
Upon inspection, the suspects were unable to present legal documents, including import permits and other required papers, to justify the transport of the cigarettes.
Police immediately notified a representative from the Bureau of Customs (BOC), who witnessed the apprehension through a video conference call, ensuring proper coordination and documentation of the seizure.
Authorities conducted the inventory and marking of the confiscated evidence at the place of arrest, in the presence of the suspects, an elected barangay official, and a media representative, in accordance with standard operating procedures.
The suspects are now under police custody and are expected to face appropriate charges related to the transport and possession of smuggled goods, while the confiscated cigarettes will be turned over to the Bureau of Customs for proper disposition and further investigation.
PCOL George D. Bagundol Jr., Acting Provincial Director of the Maguindanao del Norte PPO, commended the operating personnel for the successful interception.
Bagundol emphasized that the operation reflects the police force’s continuing commitment to intensify efforts against smuggling and other illegal activities in the province.
“This successful operation demonstrates our firm resolve to combat smuggling and other unlawful activities that undermine government revenue and economic stability,” Bagundol said.
He also assured the public that the Maguindanao del Norte police will continue strengthening intelligence operations and checkpoint monitoring to prevent the movement of illegal goods and maintain peace and order in the province.