JABONGA, Agusan del Norte — Authorities successfully foiled another attempt to transport alleged smuggled and counterfeit cigarettes into the province of Agusan del Norte during a law enforcement operation conducted in Barangay Sto. Niño, Jabonga on Friday, May 9, 2026.
The operation was led by the Jabonga Municipal Police Station in coordination with operatives from the 2nd Agusan del Norte Provincial Mobile Force Company, highlighting intensified anti-smuggling efforts in the province barely a week after another major cigarette seizure in the region.
The illegal shipment was intercepted at Sitio Pitogo, Purok 3, Barangay Sto. Niño, where authorities apprehended two suspects identified only by their aliases “Aradillos,” 45, a resident of Purok 2, Barangay Tolosa, Cabadbaran City, and “Dominador,” 34, from Purok 2, Barangay Bay-ang, also in Cabadbaran City.
According to April Mark Young, Provincial Director of the Agusan del Norte Police Provincial Office, law enforcers recovered a massive volume of assorted cigarette brands believed to be smuggled and undocumented.
Among the confiscated items were 41 reams of Champion Menthol cigarettes, 930 reams of Cannon Menthol cigarettes, 100 reams each of Champion Menthol and New Aris cigarettes, 300 reams of Champion Black cigarettes, 53 reams of Green Hills cigarettes, 50 reams each of Bros and Astro cigarettes, as well as additional assorted packs and reams of various cigarette brands.
Authorities also seized the utility vehicle wagon bearing plate number XKK 367 that was allegedly used to transport the contraband products.
Police said the operation forms part of the continuing crackdown against the illegal cigarette trade, which authorities say deprives the government of millions of pesos in tax revenues while also fueling illicit business operations across Mindanao.
The arrested suspects are now under police custody while appropriate charges for violations of customs, tax, and anti-smuggling laws are being prepared against them.
Officials vowed to intensify intelligence-driven operations and border monitoring to curb the entry and distribution of illegal tobacco products in Agusan del Norte and neighboring provinces.