MALAPATAN, Sarangani Province — Authorities intercepted more than ₱200,000 worth of smuggled cigarettes and arrested two individuals during a joint checkpoint operation on April 14, 2026, at Barangay Poblacion in this coastal town.
Operatives from the Police Regional Office 12 (PRO 12), in coordination with multiple law enforcement units, flagged down a metallic gray Mitsubishi Mirage after noticing its heavily tinted windows. The checkpoint was manned by personnel from the Provincial Highway Patrol Team (PHPT) Sarangani, Malapatan Municipal Police Station (MPS), Regional Intelligence Unit 12 (RIU 12), Maritime Group 12, Sarangani Provincial Mobile Force Company (PMFC), and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Sarangani.
During initial inspection, the vehicle’s driver presented documents that were later deemed spurious, prompting authorities to conduct a more thorough verification. Officers soon discovered several reams of Cannon Menthol Cigarettes hidden beneath the vehicle’s flooring, visible in plain sight.
A subsequent consented search of the vehicle led to the recovery of four additional boxes of the same cigarette brand concealed inside the trunk.
Authorities immediately sought confirmation from the Bureau of Customs, which verified that the seized cigarettes were illegal. The items lacked the mandatory graphic health warnings and Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) documentary stamps, clear indicators that they were smuggled into the country. The suspects were also unable to produce import permits, customs clearance documents, or proof of payment of duties and taxes.
The arrested individuals were identified only by their aliases “Ariel,” 23, a resident of Barangay Labangal, General Santos City, and “Allan,” 29, of Barangay Buayan, also in General Santos City. They were informed of their constitutional rights upon arrest.
Confiscated during the operation were four boxes and 37 reams of Cannon Menthol Cigarettes with an estimated value of ₱202,796.16, along with the vehicle used in transporting the contraband.
The suspects and the seized items were brought to the Malapatan Municipal Police Station for proper disposition. Authorities are preparing charges against the suspects for violation of Republic Act No. 10863, or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, which will be filed for inquest proceedings.
PRO 12 officials reiterated their commitment to intensifying checkpoint operations and strengthening inter-agency coordination to combat smuggling activities in the region. They emphasized that such efforts are crucial in safeguarding government revenues and ensuring strict enforcement of customs and tax laws.