MULONDO, Lanao del Sur – Police authorities intercepted and seized an abandoned unregistered minivan loaded with an estimated 470 reams of alleged smuggled cigarettes valued at ₱402,169.60 during an intelligence-driven checkpoint operation in Barangay Ilian, Mulondo, Lanao del Sur on July 17, 2026, as law enforcement agencies intensified their crackdown on illicit trade in the Bangsamoro region.
The successful operation stemmed from confidential intelligence received by personnel of the Mulondo Municipal Police Station (MPS) indicating that a black-and-grey unregistered minivan would be transporting a large shipment of suspected smuggled cigarettes through the municipality.
Acting swiftly on the information, Mulondo MPS coordinated with the Regional Intelligence Unit 15–Provincial Intelligence Unit and the 2nd Platoon, 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company (PMFC) to establish an intelligence-based checkpoint along a strategic section of the national highway in Barangay Ilian.
As the target vehicle approached the checkpoint, police observed what they described as suspicious and evasive behavior from the driver. Instead of complying with the checkpoint procedures, the driver reportedly attempted to avoid police inspection, prompting authorities to immediately pursue the vehicle.
The pursuit ended approximately 400 meters from the checkpoint along the national highway leading toward the municipality of Maguing. However, upon reaching the vehicle, responding officers discovered that it had already been abandoned, with its unidentified occupants fleeing the scene before they could be apprehended.
A visual inspection of the vehicle revealed cartons concealed beneath a black plastic sheet. A subsequent search conducted by the operating team resulted in the recovery of 470 reams of alleged Green Canon Menthol cigarettes, believed to have been smuggled into the country. The total estimated value of the confiscated cigarettes was placed at ₱402,169.60.
Authorities immediately secured the evidence, ensuring that all confiscated items were properly marked, photographed, inventoried, and documented before being placed under police custody as part of the ongoing investigation.
Police said they are preparing the filing of appropriate criminal charges for alleged violations of Republic Act No. 10643, or the Graphic Health Warnings Act, and Republic Act No. 10863, otherwise known as the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, which penalizes the unlawful importation and transport of smuggled goods.
Meanwhile, law enforcement authorities have launched a hot pursuit operation to identify, locate, and arrest the individuals responsible for transporting the contraband. Neighboring police stations and other law enforcement units have likewise been alerted and mobilized to assist in tracking down the fleeing suspects.
The seizure forms part of the continuing campaign against the illegal cigarette trade, which authorities say deprives the government of significant tax revenues while fueling underground criminal activities.
Police Brigadier General Christopher M. Abecia, Regional Director of the Police Regional Office Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO BAR), commended the operating units for their prompt coordination and decisive action that led to the successful interception of the illegal shipment.
“The dedication, vigilance, and seamless coordination displayed by our operating personnel demonstrate PRO BAR’s unwavering commitment to intensifying the campaign against smuggling and all forms of illegal activities. We will continue to strengthen intelligence-driven operations to protect our communities and uphold the rule of law across the Bangsamoro Region,” Abecia said.
Authorities emphasized that investigations remain ongoing to determine the origin and intended destination of the seized cigarettes, as well as to identify possible individuals or groups involved in the smuggling network operating within the region. Police also assured the public that sustained intelligence and enforcement operations will continue to disrupt illegal trade and safeguard the economic and security interests of Bangsamoro communities.