Kiamba, Sarangani Province – Authorities intercepted ₱440,000 worth of smuggled cigarettes and arrested two men during a checkpoint operation in Barangay Nalus, Kiamba, Sarangani Province, on August 27, 2025.
The joint operation was carried out by the Kiamba Municipal Police Station, the 1204th Regional Mobile Force Battalion 12, and the 2nd Sarangani Provincial Mobile Force Company, under the supervision of PLTCOL Darwin V. Castillo, Force Commander.
Police flagged down a white Mitsubishi L300 bearing plate number DYA 117 at a checkpoint in Sitio Linek, Barangay Nalus. Instead of stopping, the vehicle attempted to evade authorities, prompting a hot pursuit. The suspects were eventually cornered at another checkpoint in Purok 3, Barangay Katubao, where officers discovered several boxes of cigarettes in plain view.
Upon inspection, police found 560 reams of suspected smuggled cigarettes—400 reams of Cannon and 160 reams of Tabaco—valued at ₱440,048. The driver, identified only as “Amad,” 33, of Maitum, Sarangani, and his passenger “Amer,” 32, of Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat, failed to present documents for the cargo, as well as their driver’s license, registration, and official receipt of the vehicle.
The seized cigarettes were inventoried and marked on-site in the presence of barangay officials and media representatives, in compliance with police procedures.
The suspects were informed of their constitutional rights and are now facing charges for violating Republic Act 10643 (Graphic Health Warning Law), Republic Act 10845 (Anti-Smuggling Act), and Section 14, Paragraph (d) of RA 12022.
The confiscated items have been turned over to the Kiamba Municipal Police Station for documentation and proper disposition.