Law enforcement operatives arrested a 37-year-old man and confiscated approximately P7.6 million worth of smuggled cigarettes during a checkpoint operation in Kolambugan, Lanao del Norte, early Sunday, June 28, 2026. The suspect, identified only by the alias Ab and a resident of Claro M. Recto village in Maigo, was taken into custody after attempting to evade authorities.
Checkpoint operation leads to arrest
According to Police Colonel Leo de Leon Sua, Lanao del Norte police director, the arrest occurred around 12:50 a.m. in Purok 5, Libertad village, Kolambugan. The operation was based on a validated intelligence report regarding the transport of smuggled cigarettes in the area.
“The team flagged down a white wing van after observing that the driver was not wearing the prescribed seat belt. Instead of complying, the driver attempted to breach the checkpoint but was immediately intercepted and safely blocked by the operating personnel,” Sua said in his report. He added that the vehicle matched the description provided in the intelligence report.
Seized items and legal proceedings
A thorough inspection of the van revealed 190 master cases of undocumented cigarettes, with an estimated value of P7,609,000. The driver was brought to the Kolambugan Municipal Police Station for documentation and proper disposition. The confiscated vehicle and smuggled cigarettes remain under the custody of the Lanao del Norte Provincial Intelligence Unit, pending formal turnover to the Bureau of Customs.
Police chief commends team, urges public vigilance
Sua commended the operating teams for the successful operation and reaffirmed the office’s commitment to supporting the government’s intensified campaign against smuggling. “Smuggling not only deprives the government of much-needed revenues but also undermines legitimate businesses and the country’s economic security,” he said. He encouraged the public to remain vigilant and report any information regarding the transportation or storage of illegal and smuggled goods to the authorities.
