Authorities intercepted nearly ₱1 million worth of smuggled cigarettes and arrested a suspected transporter during a checkpoint operation in Siay as the Police Regional Office 9 intensified its crackdown against smuggling and other forms of illegal trade in the region.
According to police reports, the operation was conducted at around 5:50 p.m. on May 12, 2026, along the National Highway in Barangay Dacanay, Siay, Zamboanga Sibugay. The checkpoint was jointly carried out by personnel of the Siay Municipal Police Station and the Provincial Intelligence Unit of the Zamboanga Sibugay Police Provincial Office.
During the operation, authorities flagged down a utility vehicle driven by a 21-year-old male resident of Margosatubig. While conducting a lawful inspection, operatives noticed several master cases of cigarettes loaded inside the vehicle, prompting them to conduct further verification.
A more thorough inspection later revealed that the vehicle was transporting 16 master cases of Berlin cigarettes without the necessary transport and customs documents required under existing laws and regulations.
Based on the assessment of the Bureau of Customs, the confiscated contraband had an estimated market value of ₱916,800.
The suspect was immediately arrested and placed under police custody, while the seized cigarettes were brought to the Siay Municipal Police Station for proper documentation and disposition before their turnover to the Bureau of Customs for appropriate legal proceedings.
Police Brigadier General Edwin A. Quilates said the successful operation reflects the strengthened anti-smuggling campaign of PRO 9 and its continuing efforts to combat illegal economic activities in the region.
He stressed that smuggling not only violates customs and tax laws but also undermines legitimate businesses and deprives the government of much-needed revenues.
PRO 9 assured the public that aggressive and sustained operations against smuggling will continue as part of the Philippine National Police commitment to uphold the rule of law, protect the national economy, and ensure public safety under its campaign slogan, “Bagong PNP para sa Bagong Pilipinas: Serbisyong Mabilis, Tapat at Nararamdaman.”