ESPERANZA, Sultan Kudarat — Police arrested a 24-year-old man and seized more than ₱102,000 worth of smuggled cigarettes during a border control checkpoint operation in Barangay Saliao, Esperanza, on Saturday afternoon, November 22.
Authorities identified the suspect only as alias “Shane,” a resident of Barangay Bagong Sikat, Koronadal City. He was intercepted at around 3:30 p.m. by joint personnel of the Esperanza Municipal Police Station (MPS), the 2nd Sultan Kudarat Provincial Mobile Force Company (2nd SKPMFC), and the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 12 (RMFB12).
Police said the team was conducting a Border Control Checkpoint Operation at Purok Mabinuligon as part of intensified efforts to curb the entry of illegal tobacco products into the municipality.
Confiscated from the suspect were boxes of Cannon brand smuggled cigarettes, with a total value of ₱102,154, based on the Bureau of Customs’ standard pricing.
The suspect and the seized contraband were brought to the Esperanza MPS for documentation and the filing of charges related to the illegal transport and possession of smuggled tobacco products.
“Smuggling weakens our economy and endangers our communities by introducing unsafe and unregulated products,” said PCPT Jeffrey T. Lazaro, officer-in-charge of Esperanza MPS. “This achievement reflects our unwavering commitment to safeguarding the welfare of our people and fostering legitimate businesses in the municipality of Esperanza. We will persist in our resolute pursuit against all forms of illegal trade.”
Authorities reiterated that checkpoint operations will continue as part of the police’s anti-smuggling campaign in Sultan Kudarat.