P600,000 Worth of Alleged Smuggled Cigarettes Seized in Maguindanao del Norte

COTABATO CITY – The police on Monday reported the recovery of an estimated P600,000 worth of allegedly smuggled cigarettes abandoned beside the national highway in Sultan Mastura, Maguindanao del Norte. Brig. Gen. Christopher Abecia, Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR) regional director, said elements of Police Regional Mobile Force Battalion 14-A discovered the contraband at about 9:50 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 6. The 15 boxes of cigarettes, approximately worth P605,746, were left unattended by the suspects in Barangay Macabiso, Sultan Mastura, Maguindanao del Norte. “We have received a tip about the transport of contraband in the town,” Abecia said. The recovered items were turned over to the Sultan Mastura Municipal Police Station for documentation, inventory, and safekeeping. Abecia commended the operating units for their prompt response and vigilance. “PRO-BAR remains committed to intensifying efforts against smuggling and other illegal activities through proactive law enforcement and strong community partnership,” he said in a statement. /gsg