Manila, Dec. 10 -- Police in Northern Mindanao confiscated PHP209.9 million worth of smuggled cigarettes and illegal mining equipment from January to November 2025, officials reported Wednesday.

Brig. Gen. Christopher Abrahano, regional police director, said anti-smuggling operations netted PHP155.1 million in 293 operations, while 73 anti-illegal mining raids seized PHP54.7 million in equipment and led to 93 arrests.

"The region is a vital transit point of these smuggled items, with checkpoints intercepting the distribution to prevent it from being sold to other parts of Mindanao," Abrahano said.

He cited a Nov. 26 operation in Sultan Naga Dimaporo, Lanao del Norte, that intercepted PHP8 million in smuggled cigarettes.

Abrahano said ...