Authorities seized alleged smuggled cigarettes worth more than P13 million in separate operations in Lanao del Norte.

Operatives were conducting foot patrol when they found around 286 boxes of alleged smuggled cigarettes worth around P11 million abandoned along the shore in Barangay Sigayan in Sultan Naga Dimaporo town on Monday, September 9, 2024.

The owner of the abandoned boxes has yet to be identified as investigation is still ongoing.

The items seized were brought to the Bureau of Customs (BOC).

Meanwhile, the 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Company of the Lanao del Norte Police Provincial Office also confiscated alleged smuggled cigarettes worth nearly P3 million in another operation.

Police arrested a 41-year-old man who was driving a vehicle loaded with alleged smuggled cigarettes at a checkpoint in Kapatagan town.

The cigarettes seized allegedly lacked BIR stamps and graphic health warnings.

Boxes of assorted cigarettes were also found abandoned along the highway in Barangay Sugod, Sultan Naga Dimaporo.

The items confiscated were also turned over to the BOC.

“This successful operation is a testament to our unwavering commitment to combat smuggling and other forms of illegal activities in Northern Mindanao. We will continue to intensify our anti-smuggling operations and collaborate with other agencies to protect the local economy and uphold the rule of law. I commend the operating teams for a job well done. Keep up the good work,” Police Regional Office-Northern Mindanao (PRO-10) Director, Brigadier General Ricardo Layug Jr., said.