By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — Authorities recovered more than P2.18 million worth of suspected smuggled cigarettes after unidentified suspects abandoned the contraband along a national highway in Marantao, Lanao del Sur while attempting to evade a police checkpoint early Sunday.
Brig. Gen. Christopher Abecia, director of the Police Regional Office–Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR), said the operation was launched after village officials alerted police that several men traveling in a black Mitsubishi pickup, a black Toyota Innova, and a gray Nissan Navara had unloaded dozens of boxes along the roadside in Barangay Tacub Pindolonan before speeding away.
Personnel from the Marantao Municipal Police Station, backed by the Regional Intelligence Unit-15 and assisted by the local government, immediately responded to verify the report.
Upon reaching the area, officers recovered 51 boxes containing 2,550 reams of cigarettes bearing the brands Marvel, Twins, Mighty, and Winnsboro, with an estimated market value of P2,181,984.
Investigators believe the suspects abandoned the shipment after spotting police officers conducting checkpoint operations just a short distance away, choosing to flee rather than risk arrest.
The seized cigarettes were inventoried, photographed, and transported to the Marantao Municipal Police Station, where they were secured pending turnover to the appropriate government agency for further investigation and legal proceedings.
Abecia praised the swift coordination among police units and the Marantao local government, saying the operation reflects the growing effectiveness of inter-agency cooperation against illicit trade in the Bangsamoro region.
“The success of this operation highlights the strong partnership between PRO-BAR and the local government of Marantao,” Abecia said.
He added that authorities will continue strengthening anti-smuggling efforts to dismantle illegal supply networks, protect legitimate businesses, and prevent the government from losing millions of pesos in unpaid taxes due to the illicit tobacco trade.
Police have yet to identify the individuals behind the abandoned shipment and are4 pursuing follow-up investigations to determine its origin, intended destination, and those responsible for transporting the contraband.
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