Suspected smuggled cigarettes worth a total of P18.25 million were confiscated in Negros Oriental and Samar. 

In Negros Oriental, alleged smuggled cigarettes worth P15 million were confiscated by the police at the port of capital Dumaguete City.

The Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office (NORPPO) seized 263 cases of cigarettes during an operation evening on August 5, 2026.

Major Stephen Polinar, spokesperson of NORPPO, said the cases of cigarettes were placed together with cases of dried fish in a truck.

The truck was taken into police custody together with the driver, Alias Je, and two others. The driver is reportedly from Pagadian City in Zamboanga del Sur.

The confiscated cigarettes were turned over to the Philippine Coast Guard.

Polinar said further investigation would determine where the cigarettes came from and where they were supposed to be transported.

Meanwhile, in the Municipality of Basey in Samar, authorities also confiscated alleged smuggled cigarettes worth P3.25 million from three individuals on August 4.

Authorities also confiscated two mobile phones and three vehicles believed to have been used in the alleged illegal activity.

The suspects were placed under the custody of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) for processing.

(Report by GMA Regional TV Balitang Bisdak)