Joint police forces in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region scored a significant victory against smuggling with the arrest of a driver and the confiscation of contraband cigarettes valued at nearly P865,070. The operation unfolded at a checkpoint in Barira, Maguindanao del Norte, on Monday, January 5, 2026.
Checkpoint Inspection Leads to Major Bust
According to Police Brigadier General Jaysen De Guzman, director of the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR), personnel from the 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company and the Barira Municipal Police Station were manning a checkpoint in Poblacion village. Their vigilance paid off when they stopped a vehicle for a routine inspection.
The driver, whose identity has not been released by authorities, was unable to produce any legal documents for the cargo he was transporting. A thorough search of the vehicle revealed the illicit goods.
Massive Contraband Haul Detailed
The seized contraband consisted of 1,102 reams of assorted cigarettes. Police have estimated the total value of the smuggled products at P865,070. The absence of proper documentation and tax stamps confirmed the items were smuggled into the region, violating customs and tax laws.
Following the discovery, the driver was immediately taken into custody. Both the suspect and the confiscated cigarettes were transported to the Barira Municipal Police Station for proper documentation and processing as evidence for the filing of appropriate charges.
Continued Crackdown on Smuggling
Brig. Gen. De Guzman emphasized that this successful operation is part of a broader, sustained campaign. He stated that law enforcement units under his command will continue to intensify checkpoint operations across the region.
The goal is to strictly enforce laws against smuggling and other illegal activities that deprive the government of rightful revenue and undermine local economies. This arrest serves as a stern warning to those involved in the illegal trade of goods.
