Seven people, including a police officer, were arrested with alleged smuggled cigarettes worth more than P5 million in separate operations in Iligan City and Lanao del Norte.

The police officer, a staff sergeant assigned in Surigao del Sur, and his two companions, were arrested at a checkpoint in Barangay Butadon, Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte.

During inspection, an alleged suspicious cigarette pack protruded partially from a garbage bag in the backseat of the suspect’s pickup truck.

Boxes of alleged smuggled cigarettes worth around P552,000 were seized later.

The suspects reportedly failed to present documents for the cargo.

Police said the vehicle was reportedly bound for Surigao del Sur from Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay.

“Gikan kini sa Ipil, Zambaonga ug ang iyang destinasyon niini paingon sa Surigao del Sur,” Police Regional Office-Northern Mindanao (PRO-10) Spokesperson, Major Joann Navarro, said.

Meanwhile, four people were arrested after the two vans they were riding were intercepted at a checkpoint in Iligan City.

When authorities checked the vehicles, boxes of alleged smuggled cigarettes worth around P4.8 million were discovered.

The suspects failed to present their driver’s licenses, vehicle registrations, and documents for the cargo.

Three of the suspects are residents of Lanao del Sur.

“Allegedly ang van gikan sa Baloi sa Lanao de Norte ug ila kining i-distribute ang smuggled cigarette sa siyudad Cagayan de Oro ug Iligan,” Navarro said.

All suspects arrested may face charges for violation of the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act (RA 10845) and Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (RA 10863).

The police officer arrested may also face administrative charges.