Illegal cigarettes worth ₱138M seized in Cebu City —PNP

More than P138 million worth of alleged smuggled and counterfeit cigarettes were seized in a series of operations at warehouses in Cebu City on Thursday, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Friday.

In a statement, the PNP said police and Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) personnel confiscated a total of 135,936 packs of assorted tobacco products.

“This accomplishment reflects our commitment to the PNP Focused Agenda, strengthened by Enhanced Managing Police Operations. Ang mabilis at maayos na pagtutulungan ng ating mga yunit sa Cebu ay patunay na kaya natin labanan ang smuggling at iba pang ilegal na gawain,” PNP chief Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said.

(The swift and efficient cooperation of our units in Cebu is proof that we can fight smuggling and other illegal activities.)

According to the PNP, the confiscated cigarettes have been properly inventoried and are now under the custody of the BIR for appropriate disposition.

“This is not just about enforcement. It’s about safeguarding public health, ensuring fair trade, and showing that illegal activities will not go unchecked — bawat aksyon ay may direksyon at resulta (all actions have direction and lead to results),” Nartatez said.

Police Regional Office 7 director Police Brigadier General Redrico Maranan thanked the PNP and BIR personnel for their efforts.

“We sincerely thank the BIR for their valuable collaboration in this operation, and we commend the Cebu City Police Office for their outstanding efforts on the ground,” he said.

“Together, we are protecting the public, safeguarding government revenue, and sending a clear message that illegal trade will not be tolerated in Central Visayas,” he added.

Another illegal cigarette factory was also raided in Tanza, Cavite on Thursday. The total value of the seized contraband was around P200 million. —LDF, GMA Integrated News