LINAMON, Lanao del Norte — Police recovered 300 reams of suspected smuggled cigarettes valued at approximately ₱240,000 after discovering concealed compartments inside a Toyota Hiace van at a checkpoint in Barangay Samburon, Linamon, Lanao del Norte, on Friday afternoon, November 6, 2026.
The confiscation was made at around 2:40 p.m. during an inspection conducted by personnel of the 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company (PMFC) of the Lanao del Norte Police Provincial Office, in coordination with other police units and maritime security authorities.
Police discovered the cigarettes after noticing unusual modifications to the vehicle, particularly its ceiling and seats, which appeared to have been altered to create hidden storage spaces. A closer inspection revealed improvised compartments containing the suspected illegally transported tobacco products.
Authorities identified the seized items as six master cases, or 300 reams, of Bosqu-brand cigarettes, with an estimated market value of ₱240,000. The Toyota Hiace van allegedly used to transport the shipment was also confiscated.
The driver reportedly failed to present the necessary documents to establish the legal source and authorized transportation of the cigarettes. He was subsequently brought to the Linamon Municipal Police Station for documentation and profiling before being referred to the Bureau of Customs (BOC) for appropriate action.
Both the vehicle and the recovered cigarette products remain under the custody of the 1st PMFC pending their formal turnover to the Bureau of Customs, which has jurisdiction over customs-related violations and the disposition of suspected smuggled goods.
Police Intensify Anti-Smuggling Operations
The operation forms part of the intensified campaign of Police Regional Office 10 (PRO-10) against the transportation and distribution of suspected smuggled products in Northern Mindanao.
PRO-10, under the leadership of PBGEN Nestor C. Babagay Jr., said police personnel continue to strengthen checkpoint inspections and coordination with concerned government agencies to prevent the entry and movement of illegal goods.
The discovery of specially modified compartments highlights how vehicles may be altered to conceal undocumented cargo and evade routine inspections, underscoring the importance of thorough checkpoint operations and inter-agency cooperation.
The final determination of the shipment’s customs status and any corresponding violations will be subject to the appropriate proceedings by the Bureau of Customs.