Police operatives in the Bangsamoro region scored a significant victory against smuggling after intercepting a large shipment of contraband cigarettes and arresting four individuals in Maguindanao del Sur.
Major Bust in Datu Hoffer Ampatuan
The successful law enforcement operation took place on Friday, December 5, 2025, in Labu-Labu 1 village, Datu Hoffer Ampatuan, Maguindanao del Sur. According to Police Brigadier General Jaysen De Guzman, director of the Police Regional Office–Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR), the suspects were apprehended during a routine anti-criminality mobile patrol.
Massive Contraband Haul
The joint team, composed of personnel from the Maguindanao del Sur Police Provincial Office and the Provincial Mobile Force Company, confiscated a total of 5,250 reams of smuggled cigarettes. The estimated value of the seized contraband is a staggering P4,121,250 (approximately P4.1 million).
General De Guzman, who announced the results on Sunday, December 7, withheld the identities of the four arrested individuals as the investigation is still ongoing. The confiscated cigarettes are currently under the custody of the Datu Hoffer Municipal Police Station for proper disposition and legal proceedings.
Continued Crackdown on Smuggling
This operation underscores the ongoing campaign by regional police to curb illegal activities. General De Guzman emphasized the commitment of PRO-BAR to intensify efforts against smuggling and other criminal enterprises not only in Maguindanao del Sur but throughout the entire Bangsamoro Autonomous Region.
The seizure of such a high-value shipment deals a direct blow to the illicit trade network operating in the area and serves as a warning that authorities are actively monitoring and intercepting illegal goods.
