Authorities seized P7.73 million worth of illicit cigarettes and arrested a 52-year-old man during a joint operation in Tukuran, Zamboanga del Sur, on Monday.
Police launched the operation in Purok Kinhason, Barangay Panduma, after receiving information that illicit cigarette products were being unloaded and stored in the area.
The suspect was allegedly keeping 49 master cases of cigarettes inside a minivan.
Authorities said he failed to present documents covering the shipment. The cigarette packs also lacked the required graphic health warnings.
The operation was conducted by the Tukuran Municipal Police Station, Zamboanga del Sur Provincial Intelligence Unit, Regional Intelligence Division 9, and 902nd Regional Mobile Force Battalion 9, in coordination with the Bureau of Customs and the Philippine Tobacco Institute.
The seized products were turned over to the Bureau of Customs for proper disposition, while the suspect was brought to the Tukuran Municipal Police Station for legal proceedings.
“Ang laban natin dito ay hindi lamang laban sa mga ilegal na produkto, kundi laban sa mga gawain na nakaaapekto sa ating ekonomiya at sa mga sumusunod sa batas. Patuloy tayong kikilos kasama ang ating mga partner agencies upang matiyak na ang mga ganitong aktibidad ay matutugunan sa tamang paraan,” PNP chief Police General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. said.
Nartatez said the PNP would continue strengthening coordination with partner agencies to ensure that enforcement operations remain lawful, professional, and respectful of individual rights.
“Makakaasa ang publiko na mananatiling alerto ang PNP. Sa bawat impormasyong natatanggap natin, sisikapin nating agad itong beripikahin at aksyunan para mapanatili ang kaayusan at protektahan ang interes ng ating mga mamamayan,” he added.
The operation forms part of the PNP’s intensified campaign against activities that undermine government revenue and public interest.