JOLO, Sulu — Authorities intercepted and seized 25 boxes of suspected smuggled cigarettes during a pre-dawn police operation in Barangay Tulay on April 11, 2026, underscoring ongoing efforts to curb illicit trade in the province.
According to a report from the Jolo Municipal Police Station (MPS), the discovery was made at approximately 1:30 a.m. while personnel were conducting a preventive mobile patrol along a roadside stretch in the area. The operation was led by Police Lieutenant Benhar A. Asaddi, Officer-in-Charge of the station.
Police said the cigarette boxes were found abandoned along the road, raising suspicion that the contraband had been hastily left behind, possibly to evade detection amid intensified law enforcement presence in the area.
The responding officers immediately secured and documented the items before transporting them to the Jolo MPS for proper handling. Authorities have yet to identify any suspects linked to the illegal shipment.
The confiscated goods are currently under the custody of the Jolo MPS and are scheduled to be turned over to the Bureau of Customs for proper disposition and further investigation, including verification of their origin and intended distribution network.
Law enforcement officials emphasized that the seizure reflects the continued vigilance of local police in addressing smuggling activities, which remain a persistent concern in coastal and border areas such as Sulu. Smuggled cigarettes not only deprive the government of significant tax revenues but also pose regulatory and public health challenges.
The Jolo MPS assured the public that intensified patrols and intelligence-driven operations will continue to deter illegal trade and ensure the safety and economic integrity of the community.
Authorities are also calling on residents to remain alert and report any suspicious activities that may be linked to smuggling and other illicit operations.