Police in Sarangani province arrested two suspects and confiscated smuggled foreign-brand cigarettes during a checkpoint operation on June 24, 2026. The Police Regional Office (PRO)-Soccsksargen identified the suspects as alias Jericho, 19, and Sanchai, 43, a Chinese national residing in General Santos City.
Checkpoint Operation in Tinoto Village
The operation took place in Tinoto village, Maasim, Sarangani, where authorities discovered 87 reams of suspected smuggled Chinese cigarettes inside the suspects' vehicle. The suspects failed to present documents authorizing the transport and distribution of the items, according to a PRO-Soccsksargen statement released on Saturday, June 27.
Value of Seized Cigarettes
The Bureau of Customs initially assessed the confiscated cigarettes at P74,444. Appropriate charges are being prepared against the two individuals.
Police Brigadier General Alan Manibog, PRO-Soccsksargen director, commended the operating personnel of the 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Company for their vigilance and dedication in intercepting the illegal shipment.
