CAMP ALAGAR, Cagayan de Oro City — Authorities intercepted an estimated ₱2.5 million worth of suspected copper-bearing mineral ore during a joint inter-agency law enforcement operation at the Triton Border Control Point along the National Highway in Barangay Suarez, Iligan City on the evening of February 23, 2026.
The operation was led by the Iligan City Police Office – City Intelligence Unit (ICPO-CIU) in coordination with the Iligan City Mobile Force Company, with support from Police Station 2 of the ICPO, the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission, the Resident Agent of the Regional Intelligence Division, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Region 10, CENRO Iligan, Task Force Iligan, and the 2nd Mechanized Infantry Brigade.
According to authorities, the operation resulted in the interception of a prime mover truck painted army battle green and hauling a container van. Both vehicles were registered to a resident of Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental. The truck was driven by an individual identified only by the alias “Nesto,” 36, a resident of Agusan del Sur, accompanied by an 18-year-old female passenger from Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental.
Initial reports said the vehicle was transporting its cargo from Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay and was bound for Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental.
During a routine inspection at the checkpoint, law enforcers discovered that the trailer truck had no plate number, raising suspicion and prompting further verification. Authorities immediately coordinated with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources for validation of the shipment and documents presented by the driver.
Upon inspection, officials found that the cargo declared as “scrap metal” was actually composed of around 500 sacks of suspected copper-bearing mineral ore. The shipment was estimated to have a market value of about ₱2.5 million.
The truck and the seized mineral ore are currently being transported to Cagayan de Oro City for proper inventory, documentation, and turnover in accordance with protocols set by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau.
Meanwhile, Christopher N. Abrahano, Regional Director of the Philippine National Police Regional Office 10, commended the operating units and partner agencies for their swift and coordinated response, emphasizing the importance of sustained collaboration among law enforcement and regulatory agencies in curbing illegal transport of mineral resources and other environmental crimes in Northern Mindanao.
Authorities said further investigation is underway to determine the source of the mineral ore and possible violations of environmental and mining laws.