Manila: Agusan del Norte Smuggled cigarettes worth PHP7 million were intercepted by personnel of the Police Regional Office in Caraga Region (PRO-13) during an operation on Thursday in Purok 3, Barangay Cahayagan, Carmen, Agusan del Norte.

According to Philippines News Agency, a concerned citizen's tip about suspicious cargo unloading from a pump boat vessel in the barangay prompted the operation. Police operatives discovered an abandoned Fuso container van loaded with assorted smuggled cigarettes upon reaching the area. The contraband included 90 cartons of Greenhills cigarettes, 25 cartons of Cannon cigarettes, and 40 cartons of Casablanca cigarettes.

"Follow-up investigation is still ongoing to determine and apprehend the persons behind the illegal activity in the area," said Col. James Goforth, deputy regional director for operations of PRO-13, in an interview on Friday. He added that PRO-13 is also coordinating with other law enforcement agencies to apprehend those responsible, who remain at large.

"I commend our operating troops for their swift action in intercepting smuggled cigarettes worth millions of pesos," said PRO-13 chief, Brig. Gen. Marcial Mariano Magistrado IV, in a separate statement. He also recognized community support in the continuing fight against smuggling and other illegal activities in the region.