CAMP ALAGAR, Cagayan de Oro City – The Police Regional Office 10 (PRO10) successfully confiscated approximately PhP15,240,000 worth of smuggled cigarettes in an operation conducted along the seashore of Barangay Piraka, Sultan Naga Dimaporo, Lanao del Norte, on March 26, 2025.
The operation, conducted around 5:00 PM, was led by personnel from the Sultan Naga Dimaporo Municipal Police Station, the 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Company (PMFC) Lanao del Norte Police Provincial Office (LDN PPO), the 1005th Maneuver Company of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 10 (RMFB 10), and the Provincial Intelligence Unit of LDN PPO. It was carried out in coordination with the Bureau of Customs (BOC) in Iligan City following a tip-off from a confidential informant regarding the presence of smuggled cigarettes in the area.
Authorities discovered the contraband inside an uninhabited house after noticing a slightly open window that revealed the stash. A total of 190 boxes of New Aris (red) and 191 boxes of King Perfect cigarettes were confiscated, amounting to an estimated value of PhP15,240,000.
The owner of the smuggled goods was identified as alias “Al,” a resident of Zamboanga del Sur. Two other persons of interest, known as alias “Boss” and “Bayan,” both residents of Barangay Piraka, were also linked to the illegal trade.
The seized items were brought to the Sultan Naga Dimaporo Municipal Police Station for documentation and will be turned over to the Bureau of Customs for appropriate disposition.
PBGEN Jaysen C. De Guzman, Regional Director of PRO10, commended the operating units for their success in intercepting the illicit shipment.
“This operation underscores the unwavering commitment of PRO10 in combating illicit trade across the region. We will continue to intensify our intelligence-driven operations and work closely with other agencies and the community to ensure that those involved in these illegal activities are held accountable,” De Guzman stated.
He also encouraged the public to report any suspicious activities to authorities, emphasizing the importance of community cooperation in curbing smuggling and other illegal operations in the region.