PRO-BAR seizes P6.9M smuggled cigarettes, arrests nine

Units of the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR) seized P6.9 million worth of imported cigarettes in separate anti-smuggling operations on Thursday, July 31 and Friday, August 1.

In Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte, police confiscated 122 boxes of smuggled Indonesian cigarettes worth P1.3 million from a van-type truck intercepted with the help of local officials.

Meanwhile, in Sulu's Luuk town, PRO-BAR personnel seized three vehicles carrying 233 boxes of Indonesian-made cigarettes valued at P3.7 million.

On Friday, August 1, a police team arrested nine alleged smugglers, including Patrolman Camlon Basagan of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 14-A under the PRO-BAR, and seized P1.9 million worth of imported cigarettes in an operation near Maguindanao del Norte's Parang and Matanog towns.

The suspects were detained after a brief firefight with police who received information from villagers about their plan to deliver goods to buyers.

Drivers involved in both operations were detained for procedural interrogation, highlighting the effectiveness of intelligence-led actions against cigarette smuggling.