Government agencies are strengthening their campaign against cigarette smuggling after authorities seized alleged smuggled cigarettes worth around P119 million in the first half of 2026.

According to the Police Regional Office-Northern Mindanao (PRO-10), authorities have conducted more than 700 operations against cigarette smuggling, resulting in the arrest of 402 individuals from January to June.

Authorities said some of those arrested individuals allegedly used motorized boats or operated along coastal areas.

Because of this, the Bureau of Customs (BOC), PNP Maritime Group, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and Philippine Navy have joined forces to further intensify the campaign against smuggled cigarettes, including educating fishermen about the risks of becoming involved in the illegal activity.

“Una mawala inyong capital, mawala inyong sakyanan kay kuhaon sa gobyerno, inyong lantsa ug paninda kuhaon sa gobyerno ug ikulong pa ang tao,” BOC-10 Deputy District Collector for Operations, Atty. Mohammad Ben-Usman, said.

The Philippine Navy said it has identified the countries of origin of the smuggled cigarettes.

The contraband is mostly transported by ships and boats through routes leading to coastal areas in the Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, and Caraga.

Aside from posing health risks, cigarette smuggling also results in significant tax losses for the government.

“Mas kailangan po namin ang tulong ng bawat Pilipino ang inyong impormasyon ay napaka mahalaga po,” BOC-10 District Collector, Arnaldo Saulong, said.

A fisherman said he has become aware of the impact of smuggling on the country’s economy and has vowed to help authorities monitor and prevent illegal activities at sea.

“Usa sab ni nga bantayunon kay atong buwis wala nagkatukma sa uban kay ang uban nag buwis ang uban wala. Isip usa ko sa bantay dagat isa ni sa among bantayan sa Lapasan,” Lapasan Fatima Seaside Fisherfolk Association President, Oscar Torres, said.