PARANG, Maguindanao del Norte — More than ₱100,000 worth of suspected smuggled cigarettes were confiscated by authorities during a checkpoint operation in Barangay Pinantao, Parang, Maguindanao del Norte, on the morning of July 9, 2026, leading to the arrest of a 30-year-old driver allegedly transporting the contraband from Lanao del Sur.
The successful operation was jointly carried out by personnel of the 1401st Alpha Company, Regional Mobile Force Battalion 14-A (RMFB 14-A) and the Parang Municipal Police Station at around 11:00 a.m.
Authorities identified the arrested suspect only by the alias “Saripoden,” a resident of Balabagan, Lanao del Sur. He was driving a gray Suzuki Stingray bearing plate number MBS 5735 when he was flagged down at the checkpoint.
According to the report from the Parang Municipal Police Station, the suspect was traveling from Lanao del Sur to Cotabato City when law enforcers conducted a routine inspection of his vehicle.
During the inspection, police officers noticed several reams of cigarettes partially visible in the rear compartment of the vehicle. Investigators later discovered that the boxes containing the cigarettes had allegedly been concealed beneath a pile of durian fruits in an apparent attempt to evade detection.
The discovery prompted authorities to conduct a more thorough search of the vehicle.
In compliance with established procedures governing the handling of suspected smuggled goods, investigators first coordinated with a representative of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) through a video call before proceeding with the search, inventory, and documentation of the recovered items.
The search resulted in the seizure of 120 reams of suspected smuggled New Berlin cigarettes with an estimated market value of ₱102,861.
Following the operation, the suspect was taken into the custody of the Parang Municipal Police Station for booking, documentation, and further investigation, while the confiscated cigarettes were placed under proper custody pending the completion of legal and customs procedures.
Authorities said the suspect will face charges for alleged violation of Republic Act No. 10863, or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA), which penalizes the unlawful importation, transportation, possession, and distribution of smuggled goods in the country.
The latest seizure adds to the continuing anti-smuggling campaign being conducted by law enforcement agencies across the Bangsamoro region, where checkpoints and intelligence-driven operations have been intensified to curb the movement of untaxed and illegally imported cigarettes that deprive the government of revenue and fuel the illicit tobacco trade.