P70-M of smuggled cigarettes seized in Lanao raid; 15 arrested

COTABATO CITY – Authorities busted a big-time alleged smuggling syndicate in Picong, Lanao del Sur, arresting at least 15 individuals and seizing imported cigarettes worth P70 million during a joint operation Monday morning, officials confirmed Tuesday.

Four others managed to escape, while five minors were turned over to social workers.

Brig. Gen. Christopher Abecia, Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR) director, said the joint police operation was launched following intelligence reports that three makeshift warehouses near the coastal area of Barangay Liyangan were being used as storage and drop-off points for large volumes of smuggled cigarettes.

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READ: P2.6-M smuggled cigarettes seized, 2 nabbed in Cotabato

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The operation was conducted from 3 a.m. to 9 a.m., Abecia said.

He said the successful operation underscored the strong coordination among law enforcement units and partner agencies.

The 1402nd Company of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion (RMFB) 14-A, led the successful operation in coordination with the PRO-BAR Regional Intelligence Division, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Cotabato City Field Unit, CIDG Maguindanao Provincial Field Unit, Regional Intelligence Unit 15, Regional Intelligence and Analysis Team, the 1401st and 1403rd Companies of RMFB 14-A, the Philippine Army, and the Picong Municipal Police Station.

Capt. Steffi Salanguit, PRO-BAR spokesperson, identified the arrested suspects only by aliases: Wawa, Nakpar, Abu, Nasarola, Basit, Benhar, Liway, Damin, Toto, Seren, Nashrir, Urad, Takuma, Nasrola, and Usman.She said the minors, aged between 9 and 14, were turned over to the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO) for proper disposition. They were identified by their aliases Janep, Joayber, Aynor, Kasin, and Noayni.Seized during the operation were approximately 1,800 master cases of cigarettes with the brands Berlin, Cannon, Fort, Greenhill, Bosque, and Modern, all believed to be smuggled into the country.Authorities also recovered one M-14 rifle during the raid.

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READ: DA, other agencies to tackle illicit tobacco trade in summitThe arrested individuals are now under the custody of the Picong police for proper disposition and the filing of appropriate charges.

Col. Caezar Cabuhat, Lanao del Sur police provincial director, said that upon arriving at the target site, the operatives found several individuals hauling, arranging, and guarding boxes of cigarettes inside the temporary storage facilities.

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When asked to present documents to prove the goods’ legality, the individuals reportedly failed to produce any, prompting authorities to place them under arrest, he added.

Due to security threats posed by armed groups in the area, poor lighting conditions, and the sheer volume of the seized contraband, authorities were unable to complete the inventory at the scene.

The contraband was subsequently transported to the camp of the 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Company in Malabang, Lanao del Sur, where inventory and documentation procedures continued.

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Cabuhat commended the operating units for the successful operation, emphasizing that this accomplishment reflects the unwavering commitment of the police force in eradicating smuggling. /coa