TUBOD, Lanao del Norte — Police intercepted an estimated ₱840,000 worth of suspected smuggled cigarettes during a mobile patrol operation in Barangay Koreo, Sultan Naga Dimaporo, on Wednesday night, November 20, 2025.
Personnel of the Sultan Naga Dimaporo Municipal Police Station (SND MPS) launched the operation at around 8:30 PM after receiving information from a reliable source about cigarette shipments allegedly being offloaded near the seashore by small boats coming from nearby provinces. Acting on the tip, patrolling officers proceeded to the area, where they discovered 21 boxes of assorted cigarette brands believed to have been unloaded moments earlier.
Police said the boats and several individuals involved in the smuggling activity immediately fled upon sensing approaching law enforcers. However, operatives managed to apprehend one cargador—a 32-year-old male resident of Purok 2, Barangay Koreo—who was cornered by responding personnel.
Barangay officials were called to the scene to witness the incident and the inventory of seized items. Confiscated from the site were:
- 18 boxes of ASTRO (Red) cigarettes
- 2 boxes of New Far (Red) cigarettes
- 1 box of ERA (Black) cigarettes
All items were valued at approximately ₱840,000 and are set for turnover to the Bureau of Customs (BOC)–Iligan City for proper disposition. The arrested individual remains in police custody.
PCOL Leo De Leon Sua, Acting Provincial Director, praised the swift and coordinated response of the operating team, emphasizing the significance of community cooperation in curbing illicit trade.
“This operation reflects our firm commitment to curbing smuggling activities that undermine the law and harm our local economy. We urge the public to continue supporting our anti-criminality efforts by reporting any suspicious activities. Rest assured, your Lanao del Norte Police remains steadfast in protecting our communities and upholding the rule of law,” he said.
Authorities continue to investigate the source of the contraband and the identities of the individuals who evaded arrest.