26/11/2024
LOOK: 𝟭𝟳𝟱𝗞 𝗦𝗠𝗨𝗚𝗚𝗟𝗘𝗗 𝗖𝗜𝗚𝗔𝗥𝗘𝗧𝗧𝗘𝗦 𝗦𝗘𝗜𝗭𝗘𝗗 𝗜𝗡 𝗧𝗪𝗢 𝗦𝗘𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗘 𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦 𝗜𝗡 𝗟𝗔𝗡𝗔𝗢 𝗗𝗘𝗟 𝗡𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗘
CAMP ALAGAR, Cagayan de Oro City- The Lanao del Norte Police Provincial Office successfully confiscated and recovered smuggled ci******es in two separate operations conducted in Kapatagan and Baloi, Lanao del Norte on November 23, 2024.
At approximately 11:05 AM, personnel of the 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Company (PMFC), Lanao del Norte Police Provincial Office, flagged down a Rural Transit Bus (body number 10722) during a checkpoint operation in Purok 1, Barangay Bansarvil 1, Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte. Upon inspection of the baggage compartment, officers discovered a box, three suitcases, and a backpack containing suspected smuggled ci******es.
The bus conductor revealed that the luggage, allegedly loaded in Picong, Lanao del Sur, was supposed to be picked up at the Maranding Bus Terminal in Lala, Lanao del Norte. Despite the owner’s claim that the items contained only clothes, inspection revealed: 34 reams of New Far red ci******es (1 box), 41 reams of New Far red ci******es (1 black suitcase), 23 reams of New Far red ci******es (1 black suitcase), 22 reams of New Far white ci******es (1 red suitcase), and 15 reams of New Far white ci******es (1 blue backpack).
The total market value of the confiscated items is estimated at PhP108,000.00. The seized ci******es were taken to the 2nd LDN PMFC Headquarters for documentation and will be turned over to the Bureau of Customs, Iligan City.
Later that afternoon, at around 5:00 PM, Baloi Municipal Police Station personnel responded to a tip from a concerned citizen about abandoned baggage near the Agus River in Sitio Sawmill, Barangay East Poblacion, Baloi, Lanao del Norte.
Upon verification, the responding officers found two large cartons and one transparent plastic bag containing assorted smuggled cigarette without Graphic Health Warnings. The recovered items were 50 reams of red Full Flavor ci******es, 40 reams of red Champion ci******es, 40 reams of YS Filter ci******es, and 4 reams of Journey ci******es with the total market value of PhP67,000.00. The smuggled items are now under the custody of Baloi Municipal Police Station for documentation and will also be turned over to the Bureau of Customs.
PBGEN JAYSEN C DE GUZMAN, Regional Director, PRO10, lauded the efforts of the operating units for their vigilance and successful operations.
“PRO10 continues to prioritize its border security to prevent the proliferation of smuggled goods and other illegal activities in Northern Mindanao. I ask everyone to report any illegal activities or information with regard to smuggled products to the authorities,” he said. (Text and photo by RPIO PRO10)