ZAMBOANGA DEL NORTE, Philippines — Police Regional Office (PRO) 9 arrested a man and seized more than ₱4.1 million worth of undocumented cigarettes during a checkpoint operation in Barangay Canawan, Salug, Zamboanga del Norte, on September 1.

At around 9:30 PM, personnel of the Salug Municipal Police Station (MPS), who were conducting a random checkpoint operation at Purok Kalauman, Barangay Canawan, flagged down a Nissan Livina for routine verification and inspection.

During the inspection, the operating personnel discovered a total of 525 reams of Berlin cigarettes and 524 reams of Champion cigarettes inside the vehicle.

The confiscated cigarettes have an estimated value of ₱4,133,060.00, based on the Bureau of Customs Standard Price Price.

The driver, a 47-year-old male resident of Zamboanga City, was arrested for alleged violation of Republic Act No. 10643, or the Graphic Health Warnings Law.

The undocumented cigarettes and the vehicle are currently under the custody of the Salug MPS pending proper disposition and further legal proceedings in coordination with concerned government agencies.

Police Brigadier General Elmer E Ragay, regional director, commended the operating personnel for their vigilance and underscored the importance of sustained police operations.

“Our police personnel will remain vigilant and steadfast in enforcing the law. Through strengthened checkpoint operations and close coordination with partner agencies, PRO 9 will continue to prevent the transport and distribution of undocumented and illegal goods in the region,” PBGen Ragay said.

PRO 9 remains relentless in its campaign against smuggling, illegal trade, and all forms of criminality. In line with the Chief, PNP mantra, “Sa Bagong PNP para sa Bagong Pilipinas: Serbisyong Mabilis, Tapat, at Nararamdaman,” PRO 9 will continue to strengthen law enforcement operations and strategic partnerships to uphold the rule of law and ensure a safer, more secure, and economically stable Region 9.