Tubod, Lanao del Norte – Authorities from the 2nd Lanao del Norte Provincial Mobile Force Company (PMFC) recovered more than ₱1.1 million worth of alleged smuggled cigarettes in Sultan Naga Dimaporo following a tip from a concerned citizen on Sunday night, September 22.
At around 9:10 p.m., police were alerted about a pile of suspected contraband hidden under a tarpaulin in a banana plantation at Purok 8, Barangay Bauyan, located just five meters from the national highway.
Responding personnel from the PMFC, Sultan Naga Dimaporo Municipal Police Station, and the Provincial Intelligence Unit immediately conducted an operation despite heavy rains and the challenging condition of the area. The items were secured and brought to the Barangay Hall of Purok 2, Bauyan, where an inventory was carried out in the presence of barangay officials, members of the Barangay Peacekeeping Action Team (BPAT), and personnel from the Rural Health Unit.
Authorities recovered a total of 28 master cases of Astro Red and ERA Black cigarettes, equivalent to 1,400 reams, with a combined estimated market value of ₱1,187,200. Among the seized items were:
- 22 master cases of Astro Red cigarettes (₱880,000)
- 5 packs of Astro Red cigarettes in transparent cellophane (₱200,000)
- 1 pack of Astro Red cigarettes with 40 reams (₱32,000)
- 1 pack of ERA Black cigarettes with 50 reams (₱40,000)
- 1 pack of ERA Black cigarettes with 44 reams (₱35,200)
The confiscated goods were turned over to the Sultan Naga Dimaporo Municipal Police Station for proper documentation and disposition.
PCOL Leo De Leon Sua, Acting Provincial Director of the Lanao del Norte Police Provincial Office, lauded the swift response of the operating units and the vigilance of the concerned citizen who reported the incident.
“The LDN PPO continues to urge the public to actively support our law enforcement efforts in maintaining peace, order, and public safety. We strongly encourage community members to remain vigilant and immediately report any illegal activities in their respective areas,” Sua said.