Philippine police seize millions in smuggled cigarettes and drugs

Police in the Philippines have conducted significant operations against smuggling and illegal drugs across Negros Oriental and Maguindanao del Norte.

In Negros Oriental, authorities reported seizing over P15 million worth of smuggled cigarettes and P2 million in suspected shabu during August. Captain Stephen Polinar of the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office noted that the province is being targeted as a transit point between Mindanao and Luzon. The month's operations also included the arrest of 57 street-level drug suspects and 71 individuals for illegal gambling.

In Maguindanao del Norte, security personnel at a checkpoint in Parang intercepted a wing van carrying approximately P14 million worth of suspected smuggled Walton cigarettes. Two men, identified by aliases “Jamalodin” and “Abdila,” were arrested after failing to produce the necessary documentation for the shipment. The operation was conducted by the 1401st Regional Mobile Force Battalion-14A in coordination with local municipal police.