Philippine authorities intensified their crackdown on illegal cigarette operations after raiding an unlicensed factory in Pampanga and arresting suspected sellers of smuggled cigarettes in Pangasinan.

In Mexico town, Pampanga, the Bureau of Customs led a raid on an alleged illegal cigarette manufacturing facility in Barangay Panipuan. Authorities said the factory was operating without the required permits. Six Chinese nationals and 63 Filipinos were arrested for their alleged involvement in the operation.

Officials confiscated boxes of cigarettes, as well as machines and materials used in production. The suspects have yet to issue statements, and the investigation is ongoing.

In a separate operation in Mangaldan, Pangasinan, police arrested three people accused of selling smuggled cigarettes in Barangay Anolid. Authorities seized eight boxes, equivalent to about 400 reams of cigarettes.

“As the government, ito talaga ang tinututukan natin kasi malaki ang nawawala sa tax dahil sa mga ganitong uri,” Police Lieutenant Colonel Santos Baclig Baldovizo, director of the PNP Regional Maritime Unit-1, said.

Police said the suspects admitted selling smuggled cigarettes, which they claimed came from Nueva Ecija province.

“First time ko po talaga. Hindi ko alam na mainit na pala,” one suspect said.

Another suspect said they were aware the activity was illegal but claimed it was tolerated by their employer.

“Alam naman naming bawal, pero sabi kasi ng boss ko okay lang kasi nagbibigay naman daw siya ng lagay once a week,” the suspect said.

Authorities said the suspects may face charges for violating the Tax Reform Act, the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, and the Graphic Health Warning Act.