ZAMBOANGA CITY(February 6) — Authorities seized more than ₱6.4 million worth of smuggled cigarettes and arrested three suspects in a series of checkpoint operations in Picong, Lanao del Sur, underscoring the scale of illicit trade moving through interior Mindanao—and its growing impact on local security and legitimate businesses.
Police Brig. Gen. Jaysen De Guzman, director of the Police Regional Office–Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR), said the biggest haul—worth about ₱6 million—was intercepted Thursday, February 5, in Barangay Miculabo, where officers discovered hidden compartments inside a truck during inspection.
Two individuals were arrested, and 141 master cases of smuggled cigarettes were confiscated in the operation, which was carried out in coordination with the Bureau of Customs (BOC).
Checkpoints Yield Results
In a separate operation earlier this week, police seized an additional ₱427,840 worth of smuggled cigarettes during an anti-criminality checkpoint in Barangay Tual, also in Picong.
De Guzman said officers flagged down a vehicle after the driver hesitated to stop—a move that prompted closer inspection.
“A visual inspection conducted in accordance with police standard operating procedures led to the discovery of the contraband in plain view,” De Guzman said.
About 250 reams of assorted smuggled cigarettes were recovered, and the driver—identified as a resident of Makilala, North Cotabato—was arrested and placed under police custody.
Beyond Seizures: Why It Matters Locally
Authorities say cigarette smuggling is not just a revenue issue but a security and community concern, particularly in conflict-sensitive areas like Lanao del Sur, where illegal trade routes can overlap with other criminal activities.
Smuggled cigarettes undermine legitimate local retailers, deprive the government of tax revenues meant for social services, and can fund organized crime networks operating across provincial boundaries.
For small store owners in BARMM who rely on legally sourced goods, the influx of cheaper, untaxed cigarettes distorts competition and cuts into already thin margins.
Sustained Enforcement in BARMM
The confiscated cigarettes will be turned over to the Bureau of Customs for proper disposition, while cases against the suspects are being prepared.
De Guzman commended the operating units for what he called their vigilance and professionalism, saying sustained checkpoint operations remain critical in preventing smuggling and other transnational crimes from taking root in the region.
“These operations show our commitment to safeguarding the Bangsamoro against illegal activities that threaten peace, order, and economic stability,” he said.
Police said intensified coordination with customs authorities and continued checkpoint operations will remain in place across key transit routes in Lanao del Sur and neighboring provinces, as authorities work to disrupt smuggling networks operating in Mindanao’s interior.
