PICONG, LANAO DEL SUR — Authorities from the Police Regional Office Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO BAR) successfully intercepted and confiscated an estimated ₱3,768,000 worth of alleged smuggled cigarettes during a joint crime prevention and law enforcement operation early Thursday morning, October 23, 2025, in Barangay Ilian, Picong, Lanao del Sur.
According to reports, police operatives from Picong Municipal Police Station (MPS), 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Company (PMFC) of the Lanao del Sur Police Provincial Office, and the 1402nd Regional Mobile Force Company (RMFC) were conducting a checkpoint operation along the highway in Barangay Ilian when a suspicious black-and-red KIA Elf truck (Bongo) with plate number JAD 8660 was sighted heading toward Malabang.
Upon nearing the checkpoint, two unidentified men reportedly alighted from the truck and fled toward the mountainous area of Barangay Maladeg, leaving the vehicle behind. When inspected, the police discovered 96 boxes of assorted smuggled cigarettes loaded in the abandoned truck.
The seized items consisted of 53 boxes of Astro, 12 boxes of Caspro, 18 boxes of Jhazz, six boxes each of Brave and John Hill, and one box of Journey brand cigarettes.
Authorities have placed both the vehicle and the confiscated items under the custody of the Picong Municipal Police Station for documentation and proper turnover to the Bureau of Customs (BOC) for appropriate disposition.
PRO BAR Regional Director PBGEN Jaysen C. De Guzman lauded the dedication and vigilance of the operating units for their continuous campaign against smuggling, illegal drugs, and other criminal activities across the Bangsamoro region.
“The success of this operation reflects our unwavering commitment to maintaining law and order and protecting our borders from illegal trade,” PBGEN De Guzman said in a statement.
Police are still investigating the identities of the suspects and the possible network behind the smuggling operation.