MATANOG, Maguindanao del Norte — Three drivers from Zamboanga City were arrested after they allegedly attempted to evade a police checkpoint, leading to the seizure of 32 master cases, or 1,600 reams, of suspected smuggled cigarettes worth an estimated ₱1.369 million in Barangay Bugasan Sur here on Friday night, August 21, 2026.
The Matanog Municipal Police Station said the cigarette shipment was discovered after police personnel stopped three vehicles allegedly involved in the attempted evasion of a routine checkpoint at Sitio Teba around 9:42 p.m.
Arrested were the drivers identified only by their aliases as “Jeflit,” 55; “Tating,” 48; and “Musawwir,” 43, all residents of Zamboanga City.
According to the police report, personnel of the Matanog Municipal Police Station, led by Chief of Police PMAJ Erwin P. Maylos, conducted the joint routine checkpoint with members of the Maguindanao Maritime Police Station.
Police said the three drivers allegedly tried to avoid the checkpoint but were eventually intercepted and subjected to inspection.
The inspection resulted in the discovery of cigarette cargo inside two Ford Ranger pickup trucks and a Toyota Vios. The drivers allegedly failed to present valid documents authorizing the transport and possession of the cigarette products.
More than ₱1.3 million in cigarette cargo
Authorities said the first Ford Ranger, bearing plate number LCU 8966, contained 13 master cases of Bosqu cigarettes, equivalent to 650 reams, with an estimated value of ₱556,400.
Another 13 master cases, also equivalent to 650 reams and valued at approximately ₱556,400, were recovered from the second Ford Ranger bearing plate number ANA 6710.
Meanwhile, police recovered six master cases, or 300 reams, from the Toyota Vios with plate number GXS 366. The shipment was estimated to be worth ₱256,800.
In total, the operation yielded 32 master cases or 1,600 reams of suspected smuggled cigarettes with a combined estimated value of ₱1,369,600, based on the valuation under Bureau of Internal Revenue Revenue Regulation No. 017-2025.
The seizure adds to continuing law enforcement efforts against the movement of undocumented cigarette shipments through Mindanao, particularly along routes connecting Zamboanga City and other parts of the region.
Drivers face charges
The three drivers were arrested for alleged violation of Article 151 of the Revised Penal Code, which covers resistance and disobedience to a person in authority or the agents of such person.
They may also face charges for possible violations of Republic Act No. 10863, or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA), in connection with the alleged transport of undocumented cigarette products.
The police did not indicate in the initial report whether the three suspects were the owners of the seized cigarettes or merely the drivers transporting the shipment. The investigation is expected to determine the source, intended destination, ownership and other circumstances surrounding the cigarette cargo.
The three suspects, along with the two Ford Rangers, one Toyota Vios, and 32 master cases of seized cigarettes, remain under the custody of the Matanog MPS pending the appropriate legal and administrative disposition.
Authorities said the seized items will be processed as evidence in the filing of the appropriate cases.