MAASIM, Sarangani Province — Authorities intercepted a vehicle carrying dozens of reams of suspected smuggled Chinese cigarettes and arrested two individuals, including a Chinese national, during a checkpoint operation in Barangay Tinoto, Maasim, Sarangani Province on June 24.
Personnel of the 2nd Sarangani Provincial Mobile Force Company (SPMFC) flagged down a black Ford Raptor during a routine checkpoint operation and discovered a large quantity of suspected illicit tobacco products concealed inside the vehicle.
Arrested were a 19-year-old driver identified only by the alias “Jericho,” a resident of General Santos City, and “Sanchai,” a 43-year-old Chinese national who is temporarily residing in the same city.
According to police reports, the suspects failed to present any legal documents authorizing the transport, possession, or distribution of the cigarettes when questioned by authorities.
A thorough inspection of the vehicle led to the discovery of 87 reams of suspected smuggled Chinese cigarettes, which were immediately confiscated and inventoried at the scene in the presence of witnesses and law enforcement personnel.
Initial assessment by the Bureau of Customs placed the value of the seized tobacco products at ₱74,444.00.
Authorities said the confiscated items are believed to have entered the country without undergoing proper customs procedures and without payment of the required duties and taxes, depriving the government of legitimate revenue and undermining lawful businesses engaged in the tobacco trade.
The two suspects are now facing charges for alleged violation of Republic Act No. 10863, or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA), as amended by Republic Act No. 12022. The charges are also linked to provisions of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended by Republic Act No. 10963 (Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion or TRAIN Law) and Republic Act No. 11346, which regulate excise taxes on tobacco products and penalize the unlawful possession, transport, and distribution of untaxed and illicit cigarettes.
Law enforcement officials emphasized that cigarette smuggling remains a persistent concern in several parts of Mindanao, with syndicates exploiting coastal and border areas to move illegal tobacco products into local markets. Authorities warned that the trade not only results in significant revenue losses for the government but also fuels organized criminal activities.
Police Regional Office-12 Acting Regional Director, Alan B. Manibog, commended the operating personnel for the successful operation and reaffirmed the police force’s commitment to intensifying anti-smuggling efforts across the region.
“The successful seizure is proof of our relentless campaign against smuggling, which damages our economy and violates the law. We will continue to strengthen our operations to protect the welfare of the public and ensure that those who violate the law are held accountable,” Manibog said.
The suspects remain under police custody while the filing of appropriate criminal charges is being finalized. Meanwhile, authorities continue their investigation to determine the source and intended destination of the seized cigarettes and to identify possible links to larger smuggling networks operating in the region.
The operation forms part of the intensified campaign of law enforcement agencies against the proliferation of untaxed and illegally imported tobacco products in Region 12.