Authorities arrested 14 people and seized alleged smuggled cigarettes worth more than P77 million in an operation in Picong, Lanao del Sur on Sunday, June 14, 2026.

Police launched the operation in Barangay Liangan from 3 a.m. to 9 a.m. after receiving information that three makeshift storage facilities on a vacant lot near the shore were allegedly being used as drop-off and storage areas for large quantities of suspected smuggled cigarettes.

The operating team caught several individuals loading, arranging, and guarding master cases of cigarettes inside and around the temporary storage facilities.

The suspects reportedly failed to present documents proving the legality of the items, which led to their arrest.

During inspection, authorities found a total of 1,803 master cases and 139 reams of cigarettes of various brands at the storage facilities worth more than P77.1 million.

Authorities also confiscated a caliber 7.62 M14 rifle from a watchtower in one of the makeshift storage facilities.

Four suspects escaped and are now being pursued by police operatives. Five minors found at the site were turned over to the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO).

Due to security threat posed by lawless groups in the area, poor lighting conditions, limited communication signals, and the volume of seized items, authorities transferred the cigarettes confiscated to the 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Company headquarters in Malabang town for inventory and documentation.

“Ang matagumpay na operasyong ito ay patunay ng matibay na koordinasyon at pagtutulungan ng ating mga yunit at partner agencies sa paglaban sa smuggling at iba pang ilegal na aktibidad. Patuloy nating paiigtingin ang ating mga anti-smuggling drives upang maprotektahan ang ekonomiya, mapanatili ang kaayusan, at matiyak na mananagot ang mga lumalabag sa batas,” Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR) Director, Brigadier General Christopher Abecia, said.

The individuals arrested are now detained and will face charges while follow-up investigations continue to identify and hold accountable other individuals who may be involved in the illegal operation.