CAMP ALAGAR, Cagayan de Oro City – Police Regional Office 10 (PRO10) continues its intensified efforts against smuggling, seizing PhP4.8 million worth of smuggled cigarettes in two separate operations conducted in Lanao del Norte on January 7 and 8, 2025.
At around 6:00 PM on January 7, 2025, personnel from the 2nd PMFC, LDN PPO, conducted a checkpoint at Purok 3, Barangay Mamagum, Sultan Naga Dimaporo, Lanao del Norte.
During the operation, police flagged down a red Honda TMX tricycle. Upon inspection, the vehicle was found to contain 15 reams of smuggled Champion White Cigarettes concealed in a large shopping bag with a total market value of PhP12,000.00. The items were seized and two suspects identified by their aliases “Inday”, 36 years old, and “Nene”, 52 years old, both residents of Picong, Lanao del Sur, were arrested.
The driver claimed to be unaware of the illegal cargo, stating he was merely hired to transport it. The suspects and confiscated items are now under the custody of Sultan Naga Dimaporo MPS for documentation and disposition. Charges for violation of R.A. No. 10643 (Graphic Health Warnings Law) and R.A. No. 8293 (Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines) will be filed against the suspects.
Subsequently, at around 3:30 AM on January 8, 2025, personnel from the 1005th MC RMFB 10, in collaboration with Pantar MPS, intercepted a white Isuzu truck van during a checkpoint at the Regional Border Control Point in Barangay Campong, Pantar, Lanao del Norte.
Upon inspection, the truck, driven by alias “Jay”, 50 years old, and accompanied by alias “Mon”, 30 years old, both residents of Malabang, Lanao del Sur, was found to be carrying smuggled cigarettes without proper documentation. The confiscated items were 68 Master Cases of Modern Cigarettes, 27 Master Cases of Delta Cigarettes, 16 Master Cases of New Far Red Cigarettes, 9 Master Cases of New Far Green Cigarettes, with a total market value of PhP4,800,000.00. All confiscated smuggled cigarettes and vehicle will be subsequently turned over to the Bureau of Customs in Iligan City.
The suspects are now in the custody of Pantar MPS, and appropriate charges are being prepared. The seized items and vehicle will be turned over to the Bureau of Customs in Iligan City.
PBGEN JAYSEN C DE GUZMAN, Regional Director, PRO10, commended the operating units involved in the successful operation.
“We will remain vigilant and committed to fight smuggling activities across the region. I would like to remind everyone especially those who engage in illegal activities that we will not stop with our efforts to dismantle criminal operations and bring those involved to justice,” he said.
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SOURCE: RPIO PRO10
