24/04/2026
Good job and Godbless PNP
ILLEGAL TRADE BUSTED: ₱7.94M CI******ES SEIZED, 5 NABBED IN MINDANAO AND NEGROS OCCIDENTAL POLICE OPS
The Philippine National Police, under the leadership of PNP Chief, Police General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr., carried out a series of intensified anti-smuggling operations on April 22 to 23, 2026, resulting in the confiscation of smuggled ci******es with a total standard market value of ₱7,937,440.00 and the arrest of five individuals across Lanao del Norte, Bacolod City, and Maguindanao del Norte.
In Sultan Naga Dimaporo, Lanao del Norte at around 8:30 AM on April 23, 2026, operatives of the 1005th MC, RMFB 10 (Lead Unit), in coordination with CIDG Lanao del Norte PFU and other supporting units, conducted an anti-smuggling operation in Purok 3, Barangay Koreo. The operation resulted in the arrest of two suspects and the seizure of Eight master cases of branded ci******es, Thirty-seven master cases of another variant, Twenty-six master cases of modern variants, and Forty master cases of imported-type ci******es, with a total value of ₱4,440,000.00. The suspects were brought to the local police station for documentation, while the confiscated items will be turned over to the Bureau of Customs in Iligan City.
In Bacolod City at about 5:00 PM on April 22, 2026, personnel of Police Station 8, Bacolod City Police Office, intercepted suspicious activity involving the unloading of boxes from a bus and transfer to a vehicle in Barangay Pahanocoy. Upon police intervention, several individuals fled, while one suspect remained and voluntarily surrendered the contraband. A total of 33 boxes of smuggled branded ci******es valued at ₱1,650,000.00 were recovered and placed under police custody. Authorities have launched follow-up investigation and hot pursuit operations to identify and apprehend the individuals who fled the scene.
Meanwhile, in Matanog, Maguindanao del Norte at 12:05 AM on April 23, 2026, operatives from CIDG Cotabato Field Unit and 42nd SAC, 4th SAB, PNP Special Action Force intercepted another smuggling attempt along Narciso National Highway, Barangay Bugasan Norte. Two suspects were arrested and 35 master cases of smuggled ci******es worth ₱1,847,440.00 were confiscated, along with two utility vehicles used in transporting the goods. The suspects and evidence were turned over to CIDG Regional Field Unit BAR Office for documentation and proper disposition.
These successive operations highlight the PNP’s sustained campaign against smuggling activities that continue to undermine lawful trade and government revenues. This also reflects the implementation of the PNP Focused Agenda, particularly the key priority on Enhanced Managing Police Operations, ensuring stronger field coordination and decisive enforcement actions against organized illegal trade networks.
PNP Chief Police General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. stressed the agency’s firm stance: “We will continue to pursue all forms of smuggling that undermine our economy and the rule of law. These operations will remain relentless until criminal networks are dismantled.”
“Patuloy ang PNP sa pagtupad ng aming tungkulin laban sa illegal na kalakalan. Ang bawat operasyon ay para sa kapakanan ng mamamayan at sa pagpapatatag ng seguridad ng bansa,” he added.
As the PNP intensifies its anti-smuggling operations under the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., it continues to assure the public of “Bagong PNP para sa Bagong Pilipinas: Serbisyong mabilis, tapat, at nararamdaman.”
(PNP-PIO)
