LEBAK, Sultan Kudarat — Authorities seized an estimated ₱2.8 million worth of smuggled cigarettes during a joint police operation on the evening of April 15, 2026, in Barangay Kinudalan, as part of intensified efforts to curb illegal trade in the region.
The operation, led by the Lebak Municipal Police Station in coordination with the 2nd Sultan Kudarat Provincial Mobile Force Company, was conducted at around 8:50 p.m. under the SILG Safer City Project. Police personnel were carrying out routine visibility operations when they spotted several boxes of suspected smuggled cigarettes in plain view outside a warehouse.
According to authorities, the contraband had been abandoned by two unidentified male individuals who reportedly fled the area moments before the police arrived, evading immediate arrest.
Subsequent verification revealed that the warehouse is owned by an individual identified only by the alias “Aning,” a resident of Datu Blah Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte. The owner, however, was not present during the operation and has yet to be located for questioning.
Confiscated from the site were a total of 66 cases of cigarettes, including 46 cases of Greenhills Cigarettes and 20 cases of Bros Cigarettes. The haul carries an estimated value of ₱2,823,744.00 based on the standard valuation of the Bureau of Customs.
The seized items were immediately transported to the Lebak Municipal Police Station for proper documentation and disposition, in coordination with relevant government agencies.
Authorities have launched a full-scale investigation to identify and apprehend the suspects involved in the illegal operation. Police are also looking into potential violations of customs and taxation laws, which may include large-scale smuggling and tax evasion.
Regional Director PBGEN Arnold P. Pardiente of the Police Regional Office 12 lauded the operating units for their vigilance and prompt response, emphasizing the importance of sustained law enforcement operations in dismantling illicit trade networks.
The incident underscores ongoing challenges in combating cigarette smuggling in Mindanao, a persistent issue that continues to undermine government revenue and fuel underground economies.
As of this writing, no arrests have been made, and follow-up operations are underway.