LINAMON, Lanao del Norte — Police seized 250 reams of suspected smuggled cigarettes worth an estimated ₱200,000 and arrested a 19-year-old driver during a checkpoint operation in Linamon, Lanao del Norte, on the night of October 22, 2026.
The operation was conducted at around 10 p.m. in Barangay Samburon by personnel of the 3rd Platoon of the 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company (PMFC) and the Linamon Municipal Police Station, both under the Lanao del Norte Police Provincial Office.
Authorities intercepted a Nissan Navara pickup truck traveling toward Iligan City after its occupants allegedly exhibited suspicious behavior and gave inconsistent answers during questioning.
Police personnel also noticed an improvised compartment inside the vehicle, similar to concealment compartments encountered in previous operations. The pickup reportedly matched the description of a vehicle identified in an intelligence report as potentially being used to transport smuggled tobacco products.
With the driver’s consent, police inspected the compartment and cargo area, where they discovered 250 reams of Bosqu-brand cigarettes suspected to have been smuggled into the country.
The driver, a 19-year-old man identified by the alias “Amor,” is a resident of Iligan City. He was apprehended during the operation and placed under police custody for documentation and appropriate legal proceedings.
Authorities said the suspect may face charges for violating Republic Act No. 10863, or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, which governs customs procedures and the entry and movement of goods into the Philippines.
The confiscated cigarettes and other seized items will be turned over to the Bureau of Customs for proper disposition.
Police intensify anti-smuggling enforcement
The Linamon operation formed part of the Police Regional Office 10’s broader campaign against the illegal transportation of tobacco products in Northern Mindanao. The regional police command reported that two separate operations in Lanao del Norte and Misamis Oriental on October 22 and 23 resulted in the seizure of suspected smuggled cigarettes valued at approximately ₱2.6 million and the apprehension of three individuals.
In Linamon, however, the reported seizure was limited to 250 reams of Bosqu cigarettes valued at ₱200,000, with one driver arrested.
PRO-10 Regional Director Police Brigadier General Nestor C. Babagay Jr. emphasized the importance of sustained checkpoint operations and intelligence-driven enforcement in preventing the movement of illegal tobacco products.
“These operations demonstrate our firm commitment to curbing smuggling in Northern Mindanao. We will sustain intelligence-driven enforcement and ensure that illegal contraband has no safe passage in our region,” Babagay said.
The case highlights the role of police checkpoints and intelligence reports in identifying vehicles suspected of transporting illicit goods. The legal outcome will depend on the evidence gathered and the appropriate proceedings before the relevant authorities.