M’LANG, Cotabato — Authorities successfully intercepted a significant smuggling operation involving illicit cigarettes during a routine mobile patrol in Barangay Bagontapay on the evening of April 20, 2026, leading to the arrest of three individuals and the seizure of nearly half a million pesos worth of contraband.
At around 8:50 p.m., personnel from Police Regional Office 12 (PRO 12) noticed suspicious activity while conducting patrol operations in the এলাক. Three men—later identified only by their aliases “Didin,” 24, “Paden,” 27, and “Kulit,” 27, all residents of Pagadian City—were seen unloading reams of cigarettes from a white commuter van parked near a residential house.
Police said the manner in which the items were being offloaded raised suspicion, prompting officers to approach the individuals and conduct a lawful inquiry. Upon inspection, authorities confirmed that the cargo consisted of reams of cigarettes suspected to have been smuggled into the country.
To ensure proper procedure and documentation, the operatives coordinated with a barangay official and sought verification through a video call with the Bureau of Customs (BOC) hotline. The cigarettes were later identified as FORT brand, believed to be illegally imported without proper duties and taxes.
Further investigation revealed that the contraband was being delivered to a residence owned by an individual identified only as alias “Luci.”
The suspects were immediately arrested for violation of Republic Act 10863, or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act. Seized during the operation were approximately 350 reams of FORT cigarettes with an estimated market value of ₱490,000, along with the white commuter van used in transporting the goods.
Authorities conducted on-site marking and inventory of the confiscated items in the presence of the suspects and a barangay kagawad, in accordance with standard operating procedures.
The arrested individuals, along with the seized evidence, were brought to the M’lang Municipal Police Station for proper documentation and disposition.
PRO 12 confirmed that charges for violation of the Customs and Tariff Law are currently being prepared for filing before the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor in Kidapawan City for inquest proceedings.
Police Brigadier General Arnold P. Ardiente, regional director of PRO 12, commended the operating units for their vigilance and swift response. He emphasized that sustained mobile patrols and intelligence-driven operations remain vital in curbing smuggling activities across the region.
“This successful interception highlights the importance of proactive policing and coordination with partner agencies in protecting the country’s economic integrity,” Ardiente said.