₱400-M worth of illicit cigarette equipment linked to ‘Tobacco Lord’ seized in Pampanga

Authorities seized over P400 million worth of equipment used to process illicit cigarettes from four warehouses in Pampanga.

According to Chino Gaston’s Monday report on “24 Oras,” the raid was conducted by the Philippine National Police, Bureau of Customs, Department of Health, and Bureau of Internal Revenue.

However, no one was present inside the warehouses in San Fernando City and the town of San Simon during the operation.

Authorities found raw and processed tobacco, uncut cigarette filters, and cigarette-rolling machines.

The processed tobacco will then be brought to other facilities to be manufactured into the final product.

Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said a large syndicate possibly owns or leases the warehouses, which is allegedly led by a “Tobacco Lord.”

He added authorities are verifying if the group may have been receiving protection from two Central Luzon lawmakers.

Authorities estimated that the syndicate could produce more than P160 million worth of illegal cigarettes per day.

These cigarettes are considered illegal since they are unregistered with the National Tobacco Administration, their excise taxes unpaid, and the machines used lacked permits from the local government unit.

Remulla said an estimated P30 billion in losses in 2025 due to illegal cigarette operation so cases may be filed under the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act.

BOC Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno said aside from illegal local manufacturing, there are also smuggled cigarettes.

He added the value of smuggled cigarettes and agricultural products from January to December 2025 reached at least P200 billion.

Meanwhile, PNP chief Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said operations against illegal cigarette manufacturers will continue in the Visayas and Mindanao.

He added that in Mindanao, authorities are inspecting stores, transportation routes, and warehouses.

In one operation, millions of cigarettes were discovered buried underground in a warehouse. —Mariel Celine Serquiña/RF, GMA Integrated News