Seatbelt stop leads to P7.2-M ‘smuggled’ cigarettes bust in Lanao

Police personnel and civilian assets inspect the cargo of an Isuzu dropside truck that yielded P7.2 million worth of alleged smuggled cigarettes at a border checkpoint operation in Barangay Libertad, Kolambugan, Lanao del Norte, on July 13, 2026. PRO-10 photo

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — What started as a routine traffic stop for a seatbelt violation led police to unearth P7.2 million worth of alleged smuggled cigarettes concealed under tons of copra in Lanao del Norte on Monday.

Maj. Joann Navarro, Police Regional Office-10 spokesperson, said police officers flagged down the Isuzu cargo truck at a regional border control point in Barangay Libertad, Kolambugan town, at around 9:30 a.m. because the occupants were not wearing seat belts.

Noticing the occupants’ evasive behavior during the stop, police initiated further questioning until the 59-year-old driver, identified by the alias “Arip,” voluntarily disclosed the contraband.

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