Cops seize P20.8-M ‘smuggled' cigarettes in Misamis Oriental

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Authorities seized an estimated P20.8 million worth of alleged smuggled cigarettes and arrested three individuals before dawn on Saturday, July 11, in Magsaysay, Misamis Oriental.

Maj. Joann Navarro, spokesperson for the Police Regional Office-10 (PRO-10), said the contraband was seized after the driver of a Mitsubishi Fuso closed van sped past a police checkpoint at around 2:15 a.m. on Saturday.

She said police, who had received a tip about the alleged smuggled cigarettes, briefly chased and intercepted the vehicle.

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After issuing a citation ticket for disregarding traffic signs, officers noticed the occupants giving inconsistent responses and displaying evasive behavior, PRO-10 said in a report.

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The driver later admitted the cargo contained suspected smuggled cigarettes, it added.

READ: BOC, NBI vows all-out war vs smuggling; seized P980-M illicit cigarettes

READ: How ₱3.56B worth of smuggled cigarettes reached Cebu, Manila

During the search, police discovered 520 master cases—equivalent to 26,000 reams—of Commissioner Menthol, Victor Agila American Blended, and Arthur American Blended cigarettes concealed beneath bundles of abaca fiber.

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PRO-10 personnel also confiscated the closed van and three cell phones.

The suspects were identified only by their aliases: “Jim,” 40; his brother “Juni,” 28; and “Vin-Vin,” 27. All are residents of Zamboanga Sibugay.

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Navarro told the Inquirer on Sunday that initial investigation indicated the cigarettes originated from Zamboanga City and were intended for distribution in Agusan del Sur.

The suspects are currently detained at the Magsaysay Municipal Police Station for documentation, Navarro said.

They will face charges for violating Republic Act No. 10863, or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act of 2016, she added.

Brig. Gen. Christopher Abrahano, PRO-10 director, commended the operating units and partner agencies for the successful interception of the contraband.

“This operation shows the importance of strong intelligence coordination and tightened border control,” Abrahano said.

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The operation was led by the 1001st Maneuver Company of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion-10 (RMFB-10), in coordination with the Regional Intelligence Division-10, the 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company of Misamis Oriental, the Magsaysay Municipal Police Station, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group–Misamis Oriental Provincial Field Unit, the Regional Intelligence Unit-10, and the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission. /mcm