PHP2 Million Worth Of Smuggled Cigarettes Seized In North Cotabato

Authorities confiscated PHP2 million worth of smuggled cigarettes in Pigcawayan, North Cotabato, following a tip-off, the Philippine News Agency (PNA) reported.

The cigarettes, packed in master cases, were hidden behind petroleum containers to evade detection. I Photo: Bureau of Customs PH Facebook

Major John Mark Mutlah, chief of the Pigcawayan municipal police, stated that the contraband, suspected to have originated from Indonesia or Malaysia, was concealed inside a cargo truck under gallons of petroleum products.

The truck was intercepted at a checkpoint in Barangay Panatan around 3 p.m. on Sunday. The cigarettes, packed in master cases, were hidden behind petroleum containers to evade detection.

The driver, identified as “Cris” from Dipolog City, was accompanied by an unidentified individual. “They intended to distribute the items to various stores in North Cotabato,” Mutlah said.

Both suspects are detained at the Pigcawayan municipal police station, pending further investigation.