Police recovered P2.1 million worth of suspected smuggled cigarettes abandoned along the highway in Marantao, Lanao del Sur, shortly after midnight Sunday during an anti-criminality operation.
Brig. Gen. Christopher Abecia, Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR) director, said personnel of the Marantao Municipal Police Station responded to information from village officials that several individuals aboard a black Mitsubishi pickup, a black Toyota Innova, and a gray Nissan Navara had dumped several boxes along the roadside in Barangay Tacub Pindolonan before passing through a police checkpoint.
Responding police officers, backed by the Regional Intelligence Unit-15 and assisted by the Marantao local government, proceeded to the area to verify the report.
Police discovered 51 boxes containing 2,550 reams of suspected smuggled cigarettes bearing the brands Marvel, Twins, Mighty, and Winnsboro.
The recovered items had an estimated market value of P2,181,984, according to Abecia.
Initial investigation showed that the unidentified suspects apparently abandoned the contraband after noticing police personnel conducting checkpoint operations a few meters ahead in an attempt to evade arrest.
The recovered cigarettes were inventoried, photographed, and brought to the Marantao Municipal Police Station for documentation and safekeeping before being turned over to the appropriate government agency for further investigation and legal disposition.
Abecia commended the operating personnel, saying the successful recovery highlighted the strong partnership between PRO-BAR and the Marantao local government in combating smuggling and other illegal activities.
‘This operation demonstrates the value of the strong partnership between PRO-BAR and the LGU of Marantao,’ Abecia said.
‘By working together, we can effectively disrupt illegal activities and strengthen our campaign against smuggling. We remain committed to sustaining this collaboration to ensure safer and more secure communities throughout the Bangsamoro Region,’ he added.