Authorities seized more than P25 million worth of alleged illicit cigarettes during a joint operation by the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) in Estancia, Iloilo, on June 25.
The operation, carried out through a court-issued search warrant, led to the arrest of a 42-year-old woman for alleged violation of the National Internal Revenue Code, particularly the unlawful possession of articles subject to excise tax without payment.
Police said thousands of packs of untaxed cigarettes of various brands were recovered from two separate locations in Barangay Zone I, Poblacion, and Barangay Lumbia.
The total estimated value of the seized items, including tax penalties, reached P25,072,868.17.
The PNP said the operation was conducted with the BIR following the issuance of a search warrant and corresponding mission orders. An inventory of the confiscated items was done on site in the presence of authorized witnesses and local officials.
The arrested suspect was informed of her constitutional rights before being taken into police custody for the filing of appropriate charges.
PNP Chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. commended the operating teams, saying the operation was part of the government’s campaign against illicit trade and economic offenses.
“Ang ganitong operasyon ay mahalaga hindi lamang para maipatupad ang batas kundi para maprotektahan din ang interes ng taumbayan. Ang pagbebenta at pag-iimbak ng mga produktong hindi nagbabayad ng tamang buwis ay may direktang epekto sa ekonomiya ng bansa,” Nartatez said.
“Patuloy nating palalakasin ang ating pakikipagtulungan sa iba pang ahensya upang matiyak na may mananagot sa mga lumalabag sa batas,” he added.
Nartatez also urged the public to report information on the illegal manufacture, transport, storage, or sale of untaxed products.
The PNP said the seizure reflects its continuing coordination with the BIR to protect government revenues and curb the sale of untaxed goods.