Acting on a tip from Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) community, police in Palimbang town, Sultan Kudarat province foiled a smuggling attempt on Monday night, Oct.13, but missed two suspected smugglers, police said.
The immediate response led to the recovery of P7.8 million worth of illegally imported cigarettes, according to Brig. Arnold Ardiente, regional director of Police Regional Office (PRO-12).
He said the Palimbang municipal police station received a tip from MNLF officials in Palimbang about a pile of cigarette boxes believed to be smuggled and intended for transport and sale at an opportune time in the coastal area of Barangay Kraan.
Upon arrival, the operating team saw two unidentified men guarding and arranging the said pile of cigarettes.
However, upon sensing the presence of approaching police operatives, the suspects fled in different directions, leaving behind the contraband.
The team recovered 177 boxes and 50 reams of F2 cigarettes, 19 boxes of Tabaco cigarettes, 62 reams of Hero cigarettes, and 50 reams of Canon cigarettes, all with a Bureau of Customs standard value amounting to P7,828,139.60.
The confiscated smuggled cigarettes were brought to Palimbang police station for documentation and proper disposition, and will be turned over to the Bureau of Customs sub-port in General Santos City for appropriate action.
Ardiente commended the cooperation of the MNLF community that led to the successful law enforcement operation.
‘We deeply appreciate the vigilance and cooperation of our MNLF brothers who have shown genuine commitment to the rule of law and to the fight against smuggling. Together, we continue to strengthen our shared vision of a safer and more progressive (region),’ Ardiente said