GENERAL SANTOS CITY — A checkpoint operation in General Santos City led to the arrest of a 51-year-old man and the seizure of an estimated PHP 855,680 worth of suspected smuggled cigarettes on August 20, 2026, authorities said.
The operation was carried out at around 2:10 p.m. along the National Highway in Barangay Sinawal, with Police Station 2 of the Police Regional Office 12 (PRO 12) serving as the lead unit, in coordination with the Special Operations Team of the Regional Highway Patrol Unit 12 (SOT RHPU 12) and the City Intelligence Unit of the General Santos City Police Office (CIU-GSCPO).
Arrested was a man identified only as alias “Al,” 51, married, and a resident of Bulaong Avenue, Barangay Labangal, General Santos City. Police identified him as the driver and possessor of the vehicle where the cigarette shipment was discovered.
According to the police account, the operation initially began at about 1:30 p.m. as part of intensified enforcement efforts against vehicle-related offenses, particularly anti-carnapping operations, as well as violations of Presidential Decree No. 96, Republic Act No. 4136, and other applicable laws.
Vehicle flagged down after alleged traffic violations
The police team reportedly flagged down a silver Suzuki minivan, with plate number Toyota 8623, after it allegedly committed several traffic violations while approaching the established checkpoint.
Among the violations cited by authorities were obstruction, the use of a heavily tinted windshield, and disregarding a traffic officer.
Police said the vehicle also made a sudden U-turn before reaching the checkpoint, prompting the operating team to pursue and subsequently accost the driver following a brief chase.
The vehicle was then subjected to the necessary procedures, including documentation and technical inventory, as authorities processed the incident.
It was during the inventory of the impounded vehicle that police personnel reportedly discovered 20 boxes of Berlin-brand cigarettes believed to have been smuggled into the Philippines.
Authorities said the shipment had no supporting customs and transport documents at the time it was discovered.
BOC verification confirms suspected smuggling
To establish the legal status and origin of the seized cigarettes, the operating team coordinated with the Bureau of Customs (BOC) at Makar Wharf in General Santos City.
A BOC representative subsequently verified the shipment and confirmed to authorities that the cigarettes were smuggled, according to the police report.
Following the verification, the driver and alleged possessor of the cigarette shipment was placed under arrest.
Police said the suspect was properly apprised of his constitutional rights in a language or dialect known to and understood by him, in accordance with standard arrest procedures.
The seized cigarettes, meanwhile, were placed under proper custody for documentation and the appropriate legal proceedings.
Customs violation case being prepared
Authorities are now preparing a complaint against the suspect for alleged violation of Republic Act No. 10863, or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA).
The law provides the legal framework governing customs administration and enforcement in the Philippines, including measures against the unlawful importation and movement of goods.
The operation underscores the role of roadside checkpoints not only in traffic and public safety enforcement but also in detecting the movement of allegedly illicit goods through major transportation routes.
For PRO 12, the recovery also highlights the importance of coordination among police units and other government agencies, particularly when suspected smuggled commodities are intercepted during routine law-enforcement operations.
PRO 12 Regional Director PBGen Alan B. Manibog emphasized that checkpoints remain an important component of maintaining public order and enforcing the law.
“Sa bawat checkpoint, may layuning protektahan ang komunidad at ipatupad ang batas. Kapag may nakitang paglabag, hindi natin ito dapat palampasin. Ang pagbabantay sa kalsada ay bahagi ng ating tungkulin upang mapanatili ang kaayusan at mapigilan ang mga gawaing lumalabag sa batas,” Manibog said.
The latest seizure adds to continuing law-enforcement efforts in General Santos City and other parts of Region 12 to prevent the transport and distribution of illicit goods, while strengthening coordination between the police and government agencies responsible for customs enforcement.
The suspect remains subject to the appropriate judicial process, and the allegations against him will have to be established before the proper court.