KOLAMBUGAN, Lanao del Norte — Police seized 2,602 reams of suspected smuggled cigarettes valued at ₱2,081,600 during an intelligence-driven checkpoint operation in Barangay Libertad, Kolambugan, Lanao del Norte, at around 6:40 a.m. on October 13, 2026.
The operation was conducted by Police Regional Office 10 (PRO-10) in coordination with multiple police units and the Philippine Army as authorities intensified efforts to intercept suspected illegal shipments and enforce customs regulations.
According to PRO-10, operating personnel intercepted a green Isuzu Elf dropside truck during the checkpoint operation. A consensual inspection of the vehicle led to the discovery of cigarettes concealed inside ice boxes, which were initially believed to contain fish.
The confiscated shipment consisted of 2,255 reams of Castorce cigarettes and 347 reams of Cannon cigarettes, bringing the total to 2,602 reams with an estimated value of ₱2,081,600.
Four Pagadian City Residents Intercepted
The truck’s driver and three passengers, all residents of Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur, were taken into police custody for documentation and processing.
Based on their initial statements to authorities, the four individuals claimed they had been hired to transport the cargo to Opol, Misamis Oriental. They also reportedly said they believed the ice boxes contained fish because they had previously been hired for similar deliveries.
Their account, however, remains subject to appropriate verification by the authorities. Further investigation is expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the shipment, including its origin, ownership, intended recipients, and the individuals who arranged the delivery.
The interception of the truck and its cargo raises questions about the shipment’s documentation and compliance with applicable customs and tax regulations. However, the specific violations, if any, will have to be determined by the appropriate authorities following further investigation.
Multi-Agency Operation
The checkpoint operation involved personnel from the 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company (PMFC) of the Lanao del Norte Police Provincial Office (LDNPPO), the Lanao del Norte Maritime Police Station (MARPSTA), the 2nd PMFC, the Provincial Intelligence Unit of Lanao del Norte, and the Regional Intelligence Unit 10.
Also participating were the 1005th Maneuver Company of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 10, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Lanao del Norte, the Philippine Army’s 5th Mechanized Battalion, and the Kolambugan Municipal Police Station.
The coordinated deployment highlighted the role of intelligence gathering and interagency cooperation in identifying and intercepting suspected illegal shipments moving through the province.
Following the operation, the four individuals were brought to the Kolambugan Municipal Police Station for documentation and processing before being referred to the Bureau of Customs (BOC) for appropriate action.
The truck and the seized cigarettes remain in police custody pending their turnover to the BOC.
PRO-10 Vows Continued Enforcement
PRO-10 Regional Director Police Brigadier General Nestor C. Babagay Jr. commended the operating personnel for their vigilance and coordinated efforts, emphasizing the importance of intelligence-driven policing and cooperation among law enforcement agencies.
“This operation underscores the importance of intelligence-driven policing and interagency coordination in intercepting suspected illegal shipments. We will continue to strengthen our enforcement efforts and work with our partner agencies to ensure that suspected violations are properly investigated and addressed in accordance with the law,” Babagay said.
The operation forms part of the Chief, Philippine National Police’s Focused Agenda, which promotes effective police operations and stronger coordination with partner agencies.
PRO-10 said the effort is consistent with the PNP’s commitment to deliver “Serbisyong Mabilis, Tapat, at Nararamdaman” under the “Bagong PNP para sa Bagong Pilipinas” initiative.
Authorities have yet to disclose further details regarding the shipment’s source, the identities of the cargo’s owners, or the possible customs violations involved. These matters remain subject to investigation and appropriate action by the Bureau of Customs and other concerned agencies.