MATANOG, Maguindanao del Norte — Authorities intercepted more than ₱847,000 worth of suspected smuggled cigarettes during a routine checkpoint operation conducted in Barangay Bugasan Sur, Matanog, Maguindanao del Norte on May 18, 2026.
The suspect was identified as JR Dagandar Abdulrahim, 30 years old, married, and a resident of Malabang. He was driving a green Nissan Vanette bearing plate number AAS 6188 when he was flagged down by operatives of the Matanog Municipal Police Station at around 4:00 p.m.
According to police reports, the operation was led by PMAJ Erwin P. Maylos, chief of the Matanog Municipal Police Station. During the inspection of the vehicle, authorities discovered approximately 990 reams of suspected smuggled cigarettes carrying the brand “Berlin.”
Investigators said some of the contraband were immediately visible inside the vehicle under the “plain view doctrine,” prompting officers to conduct a more thorough inspection. Additional hidden boxes containing cigarettes were later recovered from inside the van.
Based on BIR Revenue Regulation 017-2025, the confiscated cigarettes were estimated to have a total market value of ₱847,123.
Authorities immediately conducted an inventory and proper documentation of the seized items in the presence of barangay officials and media representatives to ensure the integrity of the evidence and maintain proper chain of custody procedures. Coordination was also made with the Bureau of Customs Sub-port in Parang, Maguindanao del Norte for proper verification and disposition of the confiscated products.
Meanwhile, the suspect was informed of his constitutional rights and the provisions of the Anti-Torture Law in a language he fully understood before being brought to the Matanog Municipal Police Station for further documentation and proper legal disposition.
Authorities continue to intensify their anti-smuggling campaign in the region, particularly against the illegal transport and distribution of untaxed tobacco products, which reportedly cause significant losses in government revenue.