P22.5-M ‘smuggled’ cigarettes seized; 8 arrested in Davao del Norte

Authorities recover P22.5 million worth of allegedly smuggled cigarettes and arrest eight individuals in Carmen, Davao del Norte on Thursday morning, June 4, 2026. (Photo from the Philippine National Police)

MANILA, Philippines — Allegedly smuggled cigarettes worth an estimated P22.5 million were confiscated in Davao del Norte, leading to the arrest of eight individuals, the Philippine National Police (PNP) reported on Friday.

The police intercepted the purported contraband and the suspects at a grassy area beside a river in Barangay Lapas in Carmen town on Thursday morning, PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said in a statement.

“The suspects were allegedly involved in the transport and handling of smuggled cigarettes believed to have originated from Jolo, Sulu,” he explained.

“Seized during the operation were a jungkong boat marked ‘MJ Nur-Aira,’ two red container vans, an Isuzu Travis L300 van, two Nissan Navara pickup trucks, approximately 900 master cases of assorted cigarettes, eight smartphones, and several tactical items,” he added.

READ: P13.25-M illegal cigarettes found abandoned in Lanao del Sur

Nartatez identified the arrested suspects as barge captain Aldasil Eron Illih, 24; boat mechanic Himer Said Jikiran, 31; assistant boat captain Abdulhaid Mali Sawaba, 20; and workers Dilis Jaji, 20; Sherwin Sappayani Mohammad, 26; Excer Sawade Mansari, 52; Marjun Nun Abdul, 46; and Alamunir Sala Parantes, 42.

“We have directed our investigators to determine whether this shipment is connected to previous smuggling cases in Mindanao and to identify any syndicates, financiers, or networks operating behind these illegal activities,” the PNP chief said.

“Given recent anti-smuggling operations in different parts of Mindanao, we are examining possible patterns, routes, and common actors to establish whether these incidents are linked to a broader criminal organization,” he pointed out. /gsg