Northern Mindanao police seized nearly half a million pesos’ worth of suspected smuggled cigarettes during operations in Iligan City and Misamis Occidental on Sunday night, Oct. 18.
The Police Regional Office-10 (PRO-10) reported confiscating a total of 597 reams of illicit cigarettes valued at P477,600.
In Iligan City, authorities flagged down an orange Toyota Hilux at a checkpoint in Barangay Dalipuga. Police seized 250 reams of ‘Modern’ brand cigarettes worth P200,000 after the driver failed to present the required importation and tax documents. The cargo was reportedly in transit from Baloi, Lanao del Norte, and bound for Cagayan de Oro City.
Meanwhile, an intelligence-driven sweep in Calamba, Misamis Occidental, yielded another 347 reams of assorted cigarette brands worth P277,600, which were discovered near an abandoned house in Barangay Magcamiguing.
Brig. Gen. Nestor Babagay Jr., PRO-10 director, said in a statement that the confiscated contraband was being documented for turnover to the Bureau of Customs.
The individuals involved in the transport were temporarily released pending further verification and appropriate proceedings.