Committed in safeguarding communities and strengthening national security, the Philippine National Police (PNP) continues to intensify its nationwide campaign against illegal drugs and smuggling. Through sustained intelligence-driven operations and strengthened coordination with its partner agencies, PNP remains firm in dismantling criminal networks that threaten peace, public safety, and economic stability across the country.
The PNP’s persistent efforts were demonstrated once again as police units in Sultan Kudarat carried out a pre-dawn operation in Lebak that resulted in the seizure of suspected shabu and more than Php29 Million worth of smuggled cigarettes.
According to the report, at around 2:54 AM on December 4, 2025, personnel of the Lebak Municipal Police Station (MPS) implemented three search warrants in Barangay Kinudalan, Lebak. The coordinated operation involved teams from the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 12, Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit 12, Regional Intelligence Division 12, Regional Intelligence Unit 12, Mindanao Area Police Intelligence Office under the Directorate for Intelligence, and the Bureau of Customs–General Santos.
The warrants, issued for violations of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, and Republic Act 9516 on illegal possession of explosives, were directed against an individual known as “Chong,” a businessman and resident of the area.
During the search, operatives recovered four heat-sealed sachets of suspected shabu weighing approximately 2 grams with an estimated value of Php13,600.
Incidental to the lawful search, police operatives also uncovered a massive stockpile of smuggled cigarettes consisting of various brands such as Victor Angilo, Commissioner Green, Commissioner Red, President Yellow, President Black, President Red, Lasa, Berlin, and Brooklyn. The contraband carried a Bureau of Customs Standard Price of Php29,467,500.
All confiscated items were brought to the Lebak MPS for proper documentation and disposition, while follow-up operations are ongoing.
Police Lieutenant General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr., Acting PNP Chief, commended the coordinated efforts behind the successful operation and emphasized the organization’s strong resolve to combat illegal activities.
“We appreciate the focused and collaborative work shown by our operating units. Tahimik pero tuloy-tuloy ang trabaho para maprotektahan ang ating mga komunidad. Operations like this remind us that every coordinated effort, malaki man o maliit, helps disrupt illegal activities that put our people at risk,” he said.
PNP is working closely with its partner agencies and assures the public that it will continue to intensify its law enforcement operations to safeguard communities and maintain peace and security nationwide, truly embodying a Bagong PNP para sa Bagong Pilipinas: Serbisyong Mabilis, Tapat, at Nararamdaman.
