P2-M Smuggled Cigarettes Intercepted in Pigcawayan, North Cotabato.

COTABATO CITY: Authorities confiscated PHP2 million worth of smuggled cigarettes in Pigcawayan, North Cotabato, on Sunday afternoon, following a tip-off. Major John Mark Mutlah, chief of the Pigcawayan municipal police, reported that the contraband, suspected to be from Indonesia or Malaysia, was hidden inside a cargo truck and concealed with gallons of petroleum products. According to Philippines News Agency, the truck was intercepted at a checkpoint in Barangay Panatan at about 3 p.m. The cigarettes were packed in master cases and covered by petroleum containers placed at the back of the truck to disguise the illegal items. Mutlah identified the driver as 'Cris' from Dipolog City, who was accompanied by an unidentified individual. The suspects intended to distribute the items to various stores in North Cotabato. The two individuals are currently detained at the Pigcawayan municipal police station pending further investigation.