P1.5-M ‘smuggled’ cigarettes seized in Northern Mindanao

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — A targeted police intercept and a high-speed highway crash led to the seizure of about P1.5 million worth of suspected smuggled cigarettes in separate operations across Northern Mindanao over the weekend.

At least 43 master cases, or 1,592 reams, of alleged illicit cigarettes were apprehended in Iligan City and Misamis Oriental on Saturday and Sunday, respectively, the Police Regional Office-10 (PRO-10) said.

The first bust happened at around 8:50 p.m. on Saturday along Don Pedro Celdran Avenue in Barangay Tubod, Iligan City. Police operatives flagged down an Isuzu Travis at a checkpoint and discovered 12 master cases containing 600 reams of “Canon” cigarettes, valued at P480,000.

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READ: Cigarette smuggling foiled on Lanao del Norte shore

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The driver, identified only as alias “Aban,” 41, and his passenger, alias “Abdul,” 26 — both residents of Balo-i, Lanao del Norte — failed to present importation permits, Bureau of Customs (BOC) clearance, or tax stamps. 

The suspects, the contraband, and the vehicle have been turned over to the BOC for documentation and proceedings.

Hours later, at around 3:20 a.m. on Sunday, police recovered an even larger haul following a vehicular accident in Lugait, Misamis Oriental.

A white Toyota Hi-Ace Commuter van speeding from Iligan City towards this city blew out its front right tire, causing it to overturn along the national highway in Purok Salimbal, Barangay Poblacion. The driver and passenger abandoned the vehicle.

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The responding Lugait town police officers discovered 31 master cases of suspected smuggled “Red Modern” cigarettes worth P992,000 inside the van.

Investigators also uncovered registration anomalies, including an expired official receipt, mismatched license plates, and a separate plate number inside the vehicle.

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Brig. Gen. Christopher Abrahano, PRO-10 director, pointed out that the seizures highlight the necessity of constant law enforcement vigilance.

READ: P9.4-M smuggled cigarettes seized in Zamboanga del Sur checkpoint

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“Our personnel remain vigilant in every police response because illegal activities can surface in unexpected circumstances,” Abrahano said, adding that PRO-10 will continue collaborating with partner agencies to dismantle smuggling routes./coa