LEBAK, SULTAN KUDARAT — Police seized nearly ₱20 million worth of smuggled cigarettes and suspected shabu in a pre-dawn operation in Sitio Sudoy, Brgy. Kinudalan, early Thursday, December 4, as authorities enforced three search warrants against a local businessman who remains at large.

Led by PLTCOL Joseph C. Galleto, the Lebak Municipal Police Station, backed by units from RMFB-12, RPDEU-12, RID-12, RIU-12, DI-MAPIO, and BOC General Santos City, simultaneously implemented Search Warrant Nos. 25-541 (RA 9165), 25-542 (RA 10591), and 25-543 (RA 9516) at around 2:54 a.m. at the residence of Chong Arabani Aminola, also known as “Chong.”

Shabu, cigarettes flooding the property

The operation first yielded four sachets of suspected shabu, weighing about 2 grams, with an estimated value of ₱13,600.

A far bigger discovery followed: stacks of branded cigarettes believed to be smuggled, including Victor Angilo, Commissioner Green/Red, President (Yellow/Black/Red), Berlin, and Lasa. The initial seizure totaled 260 boxes, valued by the Bureau of Customs at ₱10,215,400.

As the team was pulling out, officers spotted additional boxes along the nearby shoreline. After remote verification with BOC representative SA1 Rogel E. Julio, authorities confirmed 245 more boxes of Lasa and Brooklyn cigarettes worth ₱9,626,050.

In all, police confiscated 505 boxes of smuggled cigarettes, with an estimated total valuation of ₱19,841,450.

Suspect missing, evidence secured

Aminola was not present during the search and remains at large.

Inventory and marking of all seized items were conducted on-site in the presence of a municipal councilor and a member of the local media.

All evidence—including the suspected shabu and the smuggled cigarette haul—has been turned over to Lebak MPS for documentation and proper disposition, as authorities pursue further legal action and continue efforts to locate the suspect.