SULTAN NAGA DIMAPORO, Lanao del Norte — Police seized approximately ₱800,000 worth of suspected smuggled cigarettes and arrested a 41-year-old fisherman during a shoreline patrol operation in the coastal municipality of Sultan Naga Dimaporo on November 5, 2026, as authorities intensify efforts to curb the illegal entry and distribution of untaxed tobacco products.
Personnel of the Sultan Naga Dimaporo Municipal Police Station (SND MPS) intercepted a motorized boat locally known as a tinanggo at around 7 p.m. while conducting a shoreline patrol along the coastal waters of Barangay Koreo.
Police identified the arrested individual only by the alias “Edan,” a 41-year-old fisherman and resident of Barangay Tabina, Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur. He was reportedly caught unloading the suspected contraband from the boat when police personnel approached and intercepted the vessel.
The operation led to the confiscation of 14 sacks of Platinum cigarettes, three boxes of Modern cigarettes, and three boxes of New Berlin cigarettes, along with the white motorized boat allegedly used to transport the goods.
Authorities placed the estimated combined value of the seized cigarettes at ₱800,000.
Following the arrest, police informed the suspect of his constitutional rights and coordinated with the Bureau of Customs (BOC) in Iligan City for the appropriate handling of the confiscated tobacco products.
An on-site inventory was subsequently conducted in the presence of the arrested individual and two barangay kagawads to document the seized items and establish an official record of the operation.
The suspect, together with the confiscated cigarettes and motorized boat, remains under the custody of the Sultan Naga Dimaporo Municipal Police Station for documentation and proper disposition, pending turnover to the BOC in Iligan City.
Police intensify anti-smuggling operations
PCOL Leo De Leon Sua, provincial director of the Lanao del Norte Police Provincial Office (LDN PPO), commended the operating personnel for their vigilance and swift response, describing the seizure as another accomplishment in the provincial police force’s intensified campaign against smuggling.
The latest interception underscores the importance of coastal surveillance in preventing suspected smuggled goods from entering local markets through shoreline routes.
The operation also highlights the role of coordination between the police and customs authorities in documenting and handling suspected illicit shipments.
However, the circumstances surrounding the shipment, including its origin, intended destination, ownership, and the possible involvement of other individuals, were not specified in the police account.
The suspect’s arrest does not, by itself, establish criminal liability. Further investigation and the appropriate legal proceedings will determine the circumstances of the alleged smuggling activity and any potential violations of customs and other applicable laws.