By Edwin Fernandez

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 PHP2.3 million worth of smuggled cigarettes were seized from the suspects. (Photos courtesy of Makilala MPS)

COTABATO CITY – Alert police officers in Makilala, North Cotabato, thwarted a PHP2.3-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.

A tip was sent to the police regarding two vehicles from Digos City, Davao del Sur, headed to North Cotabato with multiple smuggled cigarettes.

During 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.

“We commend the civilians who provided the information about the smuggling try,” Oranza said.

The two suspects, now detained at the Makilala municipal police lock-up cell, have been charged with violation of Republic Act 10845, or the Anti-Smuggling Act.

Brig. 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. (PNA)