ILIGAN CITY, Philippines – Police authorities in Northern Mindanao intensified their campaign against smuggling after seizing an estimated ₱860,000 worth of suspected smuggled cigarettes and arresting two individuals in separate checkpoint operations conducted in Iligan City and Lanao del Norte on July 18 and 19, 2026.
The successful operations, carried out by the Police Regional Office 10 (PRO-10) in coordination with other law enforcement units, resulted in the confiscation of more than 1,000 reams of suspected smuggled cigarettes and two vehicles allegedly used in transporting the contraband.
Cigarettes Hidden Beneath Peeled Coconuts
The first operation was conducted at around 2:30 a.m. on July 18 during a checkpoint at Purok 5, Sitio Mapalad, National Highway, Barangay Dalipuga, Iligan City.
Personnel from the Iligan City Police Station 3 (ICPS3), together with the Iligan City Mobile Force Company (ICMFC) and Task Force Iligan, intercepted a Kia Bongo vehicle after receiving intelligence information that it was transporting suspected smuggled cigarettes concealed beneath a load of peeled coconuts.
Authorities immediately relayed the information to the next checkpoint, where the vehicle, traveling from Marawi City, Lanao del Sur, bound for Cagayan de Oro City, was flagged down for inspection.
During the inspection, police observed in plain view several boxes of “CANNON” brand cigarettes hidden among the cargo of peeled coconuts.
The driver, identified only by the alias “Hary,” 25, a married college student and resident of Marawi City, failed to present importation documents, Bureau of Customs clearance, tax stamps, or proof of payment of customs duties and internal revenue taxes required under Philippine law.
Police subsequently arrested the suspect and confiscated 825 reams of “CANNON” cigarettes with an estimated market value of ₱660,000, along with the Kia Bongo used to transport the alleged contraband.
Additional Smuggled Cigarettes Discovered at Border Control Point
A day later, at around 1:40 p.m. on July 19, another checkpoint operation led to the arrest of a second suspect at the Regional Border Control Point (RBCP) in Barangay Campong, Pantar, Lanao del Norte.
The operation was jointly conducted by personnel from the 1005th Maneuver Company of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 10 (RMFB-10) and the Pantar Municipal Police Station (MPS) under the Lanao del Norte Police Provincial Office (LDN PPO).
Authorities stopped a black Mazda multicab utility vehicle traveling from Marawi City to Iligan City.
During the inspection, officers observed several reams of suspected smuggled cigarettes stacked on the floor of the passenger compartment and visible through the vehicle’s open window.
When the driver failed to produce documents authorizing the transport and possession of the cigarettes, officers conducted a more thorough search and discovered additional cigarette reams concealed beneath the vehicle’s passenger floor.
Arrested was the driver identified only as alias “Hawe,” 31, married, a farmer, and a resident of Lanao del Sur.
Authorities confiscated 250 reams of Red Modern cigarettes, all reportedly lacking the mandatory government health warning stickers, with an estimated market value of ₱200,000, along with the Mazda multicab used in transporting the items.
Charges and Investigation
Both suspects are now under the custody of the Iligan City Police Station and the Pantar Municipal Police Station, respectively.
Authorities said they may face charges for violating Republic Act No. 10863, or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, which penalizes the unlawful importation, transport, possession, and distribution of smuggled goods.
The confiscated cigarettes and other evidence have been turned over to the Bureau of Customs (BOC) for proper disposition and further investigation.
PRO-10 Reaffirms Anti-Smuggling Drive
Police Brigadier General Christopher N. Abrahano, Regional Director of PRO-10, commended the operating personnel for their vigilance and emphasized the importance of sustained border security operations in combating smuggling across Northern Mindanao.
“Our intensified border control and checkpoint operations remain a vital line of defense against smuggling activities. We will continue to strengthen our enforcement efforts, work closely with our partner agencies, and ensure that those engaged in the illegal transport of contraband are held accountable under the law,” Abrahano said.
The twin operations underscore PRO-10’s continuing efforts to strengthen border control, disrupt the movement of illegally imported products, and protect government revenues from losses caused by smuggling while ensuring that violators are brought before the law.