Authorities seized alleged illicit cigarettes worth more than P634 million during a 24-hour crackdown against smuggling across Western Mindanao and Zamboanga City.

According to the Bureau of Customs (BOC), the operations began on February 24, 2026, in the Celebes Sea, where authorities flagged down a bulk carrier conducting suspicious ship-siding activities.

The vessel was intercepted about 52 nautical miles west of Kalamansig Port in Sultan Kudarat.

Authorities discovered around 3,000 master cases of alleged illicit cigarettes worth P367.2 million during the inspection.

The crew members on board reportedly failed to present documents proving lawful importation.

On the same day, BOC also discovered an illegal cigarette manufacturing operation inside a warehouse at the Zamboanga Economic Zone and Freeport Authority in Barangay Talisayan.

“A Letter of Authority was served following intelligence from the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, leading to the discovery of an estimated ₱170 million worth of dismantled cigarette making, packing, and rolling machines, chemicals, industrial equipment, and raw materials,” BOC said.

BOC said the warehouse representative failed to provide proof of payment of duties and taxes. Authorities sealed the facility while the investigation is ongoing.

Meanwhile, operatives of the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) Zamboanga conducted another operation at a cargo handling yard involving a shipment declared as “seaweed.”

However, the unusually heavy weight of the shipment prompted authorities to conduct an examination, which resulted in the confiscation of 336 master cases of cigarettes worth around P41.1 million.

The next day, members of the Philippine Navy intercepted a motorbanca carrying 459 master cases of cigarettes worth more than P56 million with no accompanying proof of payment of duties and taxes.

The items seized and the boat were turned over to the BOC-Por of Zamboanga.

“This 24-hour long operation highlights the Bureau of Customs’ improved coordination in shutting down smuggling attempts across multiple fronts. Consistent with the President’s directive, we will continue expanding intelligence based operations to ensure that illicit trade is confronted with swift and lawful enforcement," BOC Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno said.