₱1.8-M smuggled cigarettes seized in Maguindanao Norte; woman arrested

COTABATO CITY (April 24) — A routine tip-off turned into a swift highway bust in Maguindanao del Norte, where police seized ₱1.8 million worth of smuggled cigarettes and arrested a woman accused of transporting the contraband.

The interception happened at noon Thursday along the national highway in Matanog, after joint operatives from the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, Philippine National Police Special Action Force, and local police moved on reports of illegal tobacco shipments.

Brig. Gen. Jaysen de Guzman, chief of the Police Regional Office–Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, said the suspect was caught in Barangay Bugasan Norte with 35 master cases of Fort cigarettes—products that lacked the government-mandated graphic health warnings.

A roadside stop, a big haul

Authorities also impounded a multi-cab and a minivan believed to have been used to move the goods, along with marked money used in the operation.

For residents, the bust is more than just a police success—it’s part of a wider effort to curb the steady flow of untaxed cigarettes that undercut legal sellers and slip past health regulations.

An inventory of the seized items was conducted on-site, witnessed by a barangay official to ensure transparency.

Why it matters on the ground

Smuggled cigarettes are often cheaper, making them attractive to buyers—but they also bypass taxes and health safeguards, affecting both public revenue and community health programs.

Police say operations like this aim to protect local markets and ensure fair trade, especially in areas where illegal goods frequently pass through major road networks.

Crackdown continues

The suspect was informed of her rights under Republic Act 9745 and brought, along with the evidence, to the CIDG regional office for case build-up.

De Guzman said the operation sends a clear signal that authorities are tightening their watch.

“We remain firm against illegal trade. We will continue to pursue offenders and hold them accountable,” he said.

With interagency teams working closely together, police vowed to sustain the pressure on smuggling routes across the Bangsamoro—where even a single roadside stop can disrupt a much larger illegal supply chain.