BUSTED. Police officers separately handcuff two drivers of minivans who attempted to sneak in smuggled cigarettes to North Cotabato from Digos City, Davao del Sur, on Thursday (Jan. 29, 2025). Some P2.3 million worth of smuggled cigarettes were seized from the suspects. (Photos courtesy of Makilala MPS)
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olx777 slotCOTABATO CITY — Alert police officers in Makilala, North Cotabato, thwarted a P2.3-million cigarette smuggling attempt by two men on Wednesday after civilians alerted the authorities about two vehicles carrying the contraband.
In a statement on Thursday, Lt. Col. Rolly Oranza, chief of the Makilala municipal police station, identified the suspects as “Mike” and “Adzal,” the drivers of the two minivans into which the contraband was separately loaded.
Article continues after this advertisementA tip was sent to the police regarding two vehicles from Digos City, Davao del Sur, headed to North Cotabato with multiple smuggled cigarettes.
FEATURED STORIES NEWSINFO SWS: 59% of Filipinos satisfied with Marcos admin in December 2024 NEWSINFO Elon Musk’s Starlink PH gets boost from House NEWSINFO P200 wage hike floated after House, labor meetDuring the plain-view inspection at a checkpoint, police said the drivers were restless and refused to cooperate when asked about their cargo.
Police officers found 2,180 reams of assorted cigarettes inside the minivans.
Article continues after this advertisement“We commend the civilians who provided the information about the smuggling try,” Oranza said.
Article continues after this advertisementThe two suspects, now detained at the Makilala municipal police lock-up cell, have been charged with violating the Anti-Smuggling Act.
Article continues after this advertisementBrig. Gen. Arnold Ardiente, acting regional director of the Police Regional Office in Soccsksargen, lauded the civilians for providing timely and accurate intelligence information to law enforcers.
READ: P11.8-M smuggled cigarettes seized in South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat
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