BARMM cops seize P5-M worth of imported cigarettes

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February 23, 2026 | 6:36pm

COTABATO CITY— Police seized P5 million worth of imported cigarettes in two separate operations in Basilan and Maguindanao del Norte provinces in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) on Saturday, February 21.

Brig. Gen. Jaysen De Guzman, director of the Police Regional Office–Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR), told reporters on Monday that operatives from different PRO-BAR units intercepted a dump truck on Saturday morning along a stretch of Narciso Ramos Highway in Barangay Pinantao, Parang, Maguindanao del Norte. The truck was loaded with P1.2 million worth of cigarettes from Indonesia, which its driver was reportedly transporting to buyers in various towns across the province.

The driver of the dump truck carrying more than 40 boxes of smuggled cigarettes, Arnulfo Macapas, told PRO-BAR officials that he would help identify the person who paid him to deliver the contraband to cigarette dealers in various towns in Maguindanao del Norte.

In a separate operation on Saturday, police also seized P3.8 million worth of imported cigarettes stacked in Sitio Kayuh Poteh, Barangay Maganda, Lamitan City, Basilan.

Lt. Col. Elmer Solon, Lamitan City police chief, said on Monday, February 23, that unidentified men were reportedly waiting for vehicles from outside Barangay Maganda to transport the smuggled cigarettes to stores across different towns in Basilan.

Solon and De Guzman separately told reporters that personnel from the Lamitan City Police Station launched the anti-smuggling operations that led to the confiscation of 67 large boxes of Indonesian-brand cigarettes. The operation was prompted by residents of Sitio Kayuh Poteh, who reported the suspected smuggling attempt, allowing police to act quickly.

The three men guarding the P3.8 million worth of cigarettes escaped when they realized police were approaching from two directions in Sitio Kayuh Poteh.

De Guzman added that the confiscated cigarettes would be immediately turned over to the Bureau of Customs for proper disposition.