LANAO DEL NORTE — Police intercepted an estimated P596,000 worth of smuggled cigarettes during a checkpoint operation in Barangay Samburon, Linamon, Lanao del Norte, at noon Friday.

Police Lt. Col. Leo De Leon Sua, provincial police director, said personnel of the 3rd Platoon, 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company (PMFC), in coordination with the Lanao del Norte Maritime Police Station, 1005th Company of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 10 and Linamon Municipal Police Station, conducted the operation.

Police personnel flagged down a maroon Toyota Revo with plate number XHC 226 and allegedly spotted assorted cigarettes being transported without proper documentation inside the vehicle.

The operation led to the apprehension of a 33-year-old driver identified only as alias “Odin,” a resident of Barangay Cormatan, Poona Piagapo, Lanao del Norte.

Police said they confiscated 250 reams of Green Cannon Menthol cigarettes and 495 reams of Red Modern cigarettes, with a combined estimated market value of P596,000.

The Toyota Revo was also impounded as the alleged transport vehicle.

The suspect was brought to the Linamon Municipal Police Station for documentation and proper disposition before being referred to the Bureau of Customs for appropriate action.

The confiscated cigarettes and vehicle were placed under the temporary custody of the 1st PMFC of the Lanao del Norte Provincial Police Office pending turnover to the Bureau of Customs.

Sua commended the operating personnel for their vigilance and emphasized the importance of sustained checkpoint operations and inter-agency coordination in preventing the transport of illicit and undocumented goods.

“We will continue to strengthen our checkpoint operations and coordination with concerned government agencies to deter illegal activities and ensure the effective enforcement of the law,” Sua said.