Authorities from the Police Regional Office 10 scored a major anti-smuggling operation after intercepting alleged smuggled cigarettes worth more than PhP11.5 million and arresting five individuals during an early morning checkpoint operation in Barangay Samburon on May 8, 2026.
According to PRO-10, personnel of the 1005th Maneuver Company of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 10, acting on intelligence information provided by a confidential informant, launched a lawful spot checkpoint operation at Purok 6 of the barangay after receiving reports about the alleged transport of smuggled cigarettes from Munai bound for Iligan City.
The operation was conducted in coordination with the Lanao del Norte Police Provincial Office and various PNP intelligence units.
Authorities flagged down four vehicles reportedly traveling in convoy, identified as a blue Mazda Bongo, a maroon Isuzu Elf mini dump truck, a silver Nissan Van, and a white Mitsubishi L300.
During the inspection, operatives reportedly discovered several master cases of “Red Modern” cigarettes openly loaded inside the vehicles. Police said the drivers failed to present importation papers, Bureau of Customs clearance documents, tax stamps, and proof of payment of lawful customs duties and internal revenue taxes, prompting authorities to confiscate the items on suspicion that the goods were illegally smuggled into the country.
Arrested during the operation were individuals identified only through their aliases: “Lan,” 18, a laborer; “Jamel,” 50, driver; “Sadam,” 32, driver; “Adi,” 31, driver; and “Amad,” 37, driver. All are residents of Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur.
Police said a total of 289 master cases of “Red Modern” cigarettes with an estimated market value of PhP11,560,000.00 were confiscated. Of the total haul, 103 master cases were recovered from the Mazda Bongo, 108 from the Isuzu Elf mini dump truck, 38 from the Nissan Van, and 40 from the Mitsubishi L300.
Authorities immediately conducted an inventory of the confiscated items at the site of the arrest while coordinating with the Bureau of Customs and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group – Lanao del Norte Provincial Field Unit for proper documentation and disposition of the seized goods.
The arrested suspects, along with the confiscated cigarettes and vehicles, were later brought to the Linamon Municipal Police Station for documentation and preparation of charges for alleged violation of Republic Act No. 12022, or the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act.
PBGEN Christopher N. Abrahano commended the operating units for the successful operation and reiterated the police force’s commitment to combating illegal trade and economic sabotage in Northern Mindanao.
“This accomplishment demonstrates the intensified efforts of PRO10 and its partner agencies in combating economic sabotage and illegal trade activities in the region. We remain relentless in our campaign against smuggling operations that undermine lawful commerce and deprive the government of rightful revenues,” Abrahano said.