CAMP ALAGAR, Cagayan de Oro City –Police Regional Office 10 (PRO10) confiscated PhP450,400.00 worth of alleged smuggled cigarettes in a checkpoint operation conducted early morning of June 17, 2025, at the Bauyan Regional Border Control Point in Brgy. Bauyan, Sultan Naga Dimaporo (SND), Lanao del Norte.
The operation, spearheaded by personnel from the 1005th Maneuver Company, Regional Mobile Force Battalion 10 (RMFB 10), in coordination with SND Municipal Police Station and Lanao del Norte Police Provincial Office (LDN PPO), led to the arrest of alias “Eping”, 27, a market laborer and resident of Brgy. Buenavista, Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur.
At around 4:40 AM, authorities flagged down a Metallic Gray Toyota Avanza. Through plain view inspection, operatives spotted numerous boxes of cigarettes inside the vehicle. The driver failed to present any documents proving the legality of transport, prompting authorities to seize seven Master Cases of Green Canon Mentol cigarettes, four large transparent cellophane bags containing 50 reams each of Fort Mentol brand, one large transparent cellophane bag containing 13 reams, three reams of Canon Green Mentol, nine reams of Black Fort Mentol, one ream of New Far, and the Toyota Avanza SUV used in the transport.
In total, authorities confiscated 7 master cases and 213 reams of cigarettes with an estimated market value of PhP450,400.00.
Accordingly, the cigarettes reportedly came from Tikong, Lanao del Sur, and were intended for distribution in SND, Lanao del Norte.
The arrested suspect, vehicle, and confiscated items are now under the custody of SND MPS and will be turned over to the Bureau of Customs-Iligan City for proper documentation and disposition.
PBGEN JAYSEN C DE GUZMAN, Regional Director, PRO10, commended the alertness and coordinated effort of the operating units.
“This successful operation reflects the unwavering commitment of PRO10 in guarding our regional borders against the entry of smuggled goods. We will continue to strengthen our intelligence-driven and coordinated checkpoint operations to ensure the protection of our local economy and uphold the rule of law,” he said.
He further encouraged the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities, as community involvement remains vital in combating all forms of illegal trade.
