SULTAN NAGA DIMAPORO, Lanao del Norte — Two individuals were arrested and an estimated ₱1.12 million worth of alleged smuggled cigarettes were confiscated during a police operation along the coastal area of Sultan Naga Dimaporo early Saturday, August 15, 2026.
The operation was conducted at about 4:00 a.m. in Purok 3, Bangaan, by personnel of the Police Regional Office 10 (PRO10), through the Provincial Intelligence Unit of the Lanao del Norte Police Provincial Office (LDNPPO), in coordination with the 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Company (PMFC) and the Sultan Naga Dimaporo Municipal Police Station (MPS).
According to the police, responding personnel discovered several master cases and boxes of suspected smuggled cigarettes piled along the shoreline. The operation resulted in the arrest of alias “Elly,” 19, married, a fisherman and resident of Purok 1, Sugod, Sultan Naga Dimaporo, and alias “Nass,” 21, also married, a fisherman and resident of the same area.
Initial police investigation identified the two men as alleged watchmen of the shipment, who were reportedly hired to unload the cigarettes from a motorboat. Authorities said the vessel allegedly transported the shipment from Zamboanga through coastal waters before the cigarettes were brought ashore in Sultan Naga Dimaporo.
Police recovered a total of 1,400 reams of New Far Red cigarettes, with an estimated market value of ₱1,120,000. The cigarettes were placed under the temporary custody of the Sultan Naga Dimaporo MPS pending their turnover to the Bureau of Customs (BOC) for appropriate action.
The two arrested individuals were brought to the Sultan Naga Dimaporo MPS for documentation and proper disposition and were subsequently referred to the BOC in connection with the alleged smuggling activity. Authorities did not indicate in the initial report whether charges had already been formally filed against the suspects.
PRO10 Regional Director PBGen Christopher N. Abrahano said the operation highlights the importance of sustained intelligence gathering and close coordination among law enforcement agencies in intercepting the movement of smuggled goods.
“PRO10 remains committed to strengthening our intelligence-driven operations and coordination with partner agencies to prevent the entry and distribution of illicit and untaxed products,” Abrahano said. He added that police would continue acting on information provided by communities and ensure that individuals allegedly involved in smuggling activities are held accountable under the law.
The seizure adds to continuing law enforcement efforts to prevent the movement of untaxed and illegally imported products through Mindanao’s coastal routes, with authorities relying on intelligence operations and inter-agency coordination to identify and intercept suspected shipments before they reach the market.