ILIGAN City — Police seized 1,000 reams of cigarettes valued at about ₱800,000 at a checkpoint in Barangay Suarez on Oct. 29 after finding the goods inside a van being used as a barangay rescue vehicle.
The Iligan City Mobile Force Company flagged down the white Hyundai H-100 van at the Suarez checkpoint along Macapagal Highway in Triton at around 4:55 p.m.
Police said officers noticed that the vehicle had no front plate number and that its occupants appeared hesitant when asked about the cargo.
A check of the van revealed reams of green Cannon cigarettes visible through a slightly open rear window, prompting officers to conduct a closer inspection.
Initial police investigation showed that the occupants had bought the cigarettes in Marawi City and were transporting them to Pala-o Market in Iligan for delivery.
Authorities confiscated 20 master cases containing an estimated 1,000 reams of cigarettes, along with the van, which police later identified as bearing plate number MQ835A.
The seized goods were valued at approximately ₱800,000.
Police coordinated the case with the Bureau of Customs (BOC) for further investigation and appropriate action. The cigarettes and vehicle were brought to the Iligan City Mobile Force Company office in Barangay Luinab pending formal turnover to the bureau.
The BOC may pursue charges for a possible violation of Republic Act 10863, or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.
Police said the individuals involved were later released in good physical and mental condition. Their identities and the status of the investigation were not disclosed.
The operation was assisted by personnel of Iligan City Police Station 2 and the Regional Intelligence Division 10.
