IN ITAO, Misamis Oriental — Police seized 3,000 reams of suspected smuggled cigarettes valued at approximately ₱2.4 million and arrested two drivers during a checkpoint operation in Barangay San Pedro, Initao, Misamis Oriental, in the early hours of October 23, 2026.
Personnel of the Initao Municipal Police Station (MPS), in coordination with the 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Company (PMFC), intercepted two vehicles allegedly transporting green-packaged Cannon 100’s cigarettes during the operation.
The vehicles were being driven by two men identified only by their aliases, Abdul, 41, and Jamail, 45, both residents of Lanao del Norte. Authorities have yet to disclose further details about the suspects or the circumstances surrounding the alleged shipment.
The two drivers, along with the intercepted vehicles and the confiscated cigarettes, were brought to the Initao MPS for documentation and further investigation.
Police said the seized cigarettes would be turned over to the Bureau of Customs (BOC) in Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental, for appropriate disposition.
Authorities intensify anti-smuggling operations
The seizure forms part of the intensified campaign of Police Regional Office 10 (PRO-10) against smuggling and the illegal movement of goods in Northern Mindanao.
PRO-10, under the leadership of PBGen Nestor C. Babagay Jr., has urged the public to report suspicious activities that may help authorities detect and prevent illegal trade.
However, the circumstances surrounding the shipment—including its origin, intended destination, ownership, and the identities of the individuals or entities behind the alleged distribution—were not specified in the initial report.
The available information also did not establish whether the cigarettes had been formally determined by customs authorities to have been smuggled or whether the two drivers had been charged in court.
Questions remain over the shipment
While the seizure represents a significant interception in terms of the reported value and volume of the cigarettes, further investigation will be necessary to establish the shipment’s provenance and identify any other individuals who may have been involved.
The planned turnover to the Bureau of Customs is expected to allow the appropriate agency to assess the seized products and determine the applicable customs and legal procedures.
For now, the two drivers remain identified only as suspects in connection with the intercepted shipment. Their arrest does not, by itself, establish criminal liability.
Authorities are continuing their anti-smuggling efforts and are encouraging residents to provide information on suspicious shipments and other activities that may violate customs and trade regulations.