SULTAN NAGA DIMAPORO, Lanao del Norte – More than ₱4 million worth of alleged smuggled cigarettes were confiscated while six individuals were arrested during an intelligence-driven anti-smuggling operation conducted by police and other law enforcement agencies along the coastal area of Sultan Naga Dimaporo in the early hours of Thursday, June 26.
The joint operation was carried out at around 2:00 a.m. by personnel of the Sultan Naga Dimaporo Municipal Police Station (MPS) together with other law enforcement units along the shoreline of Purok 3, Barangay Bangaan, resulting in the interception of a motorized boat believed to be transporting contraband tobacco products.
Authorities arrested six suspects identified only by their aliases: “Shid,” 22; “Ren,” 26; “Abdul,” 40, the alleged driver and operator of the vessel; “Sam,” 23; “Noy,” 20; all residents of Barangay Kawit, Pagadian City, and “Yoy,” a resident of Barangay Dableston, Sultan Naga Dimaporo, Lanao del Norte.
Seized during the operation were 101 cases of Platinum brand cigarettes with an estimated market value of ₱4.04 million, along with a blue motorized boat valued at approximately ₱350,000 that was allegedly used to transport the shipment.
Police immediately confiscated the vessel, its cargo, and took all six suspects into custody.
Initial investigation revealed that the shipment of cigarettes allegedly originated from Picong, Lanao del Sur, before being transported through the coastal waters of Lanao del Norte. Authorities are now conducting further investigation to determine the source of the contraband, identify other individuals involved in the smuggling network, and establish the intended destination of the illegal shipment.
The arrested suspects are currently under the custody of the Sultan Naga Dimaporo Municipal Police Station pending the filing of appropriate charges.
Meanwhile, the confiscated cigarettes and other recovered evidence have been turned over to the 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Company (PMFC) for safekeeping, documentation, and proper disposition before their scheduled turnover to the Bureau of Customs, which will handle the forfeiture proceedings in accordance with existing customs and anti-smuggling laws.
The successful operation forms part of the intensified anti-smuggling campaign being conducted by law enforcement authorities across Northern Mindanao to curb the illegal entry, transport, and distribution of untaxed and smuggled goods that deprive the government of billions of pesos in revenue and undermine legitimate businesses.
Police also renewed their appeal for public cooperation in the fight against smuggling, urging residents to immediately report any suspicious activities involving the transport, storage, or distribution of contraband products to the nearest police station or through the national emergency hotline 911.
Authorities emphasized that intelligence-driven operations and strengthened inter-agency coordination will continue as part of ongoing efforts to dismantle smuggling networks operating in the region.