Police arrested 15 persons, including five minors who were eventually turned over to social workers, after they were found inside a warehouse full of alleged smuggled cigarettes in Picong, Lanao del Sur, on Monday morning, June 15, 2026. Photos courtesy PRO-BAR
COTABATO CITY – Authorities busted a big-time alleged smuggling syndicate in Picong, Lanao del Sur, arresting at least 15 individuals and seizing imported cigarettes worth P70 million during a joint operation Monday morning, officials confirmed Tuesday.
Four others managed to escape, while five minors were turned over to social workers.
Brig. Gen. Christopher Abecia, Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR) director, said the joint police operation was launched following intelligence reports that three makeshift warehouses near the coastal area of Barangay Liyangan were being used as storage and drop-off points for large volumes of smuggled cigarettes.
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