Police and BIR authorities seized over P82 million worth of suspected smuggled cigarettes and arrested a hotel owner along with two Chinese nationals in a coordinated operation on June 25, 2026.
The joint crackdown involved the Cauayan City Police Station, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), and other government agencies acting under a BIR Mission Order. The operation followed intelligence reports linking the suspects to the sale and distribution of illicit cigarettes.
During searches of two hotel rooms, authorities recovered 202 boxes of various cigarette brands valued at approximately ₱82,713,366.52. The arrested individuals were identified by their aliases as the hotel owner “Willy” and two Chinese nationals, “Michael” and “Lisa.” The seized contraband has been turned over to BIR Regional Office 2 for proper custody, disposition, and legal proceedings.
PNP Chief Police General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. highlighted the broader significance of the operation in upholding lawful trade. “Smuggling strengthens criminal networks and creates an uneven playing field for legitimate businesses. We will continue working with partner agencies to dismantle these illegal operations and hold those responsible accountable,” he said.
The PNP emphasized that public cooperation remains essential. “Hindi kami titigil sa pagsugpo sa smuggling at iba pang ilegal na gawain. Mahalaga ang pakikipagtulungan ng publiko upang mapanagot ang mga lumalabag sa batas,” PGEN Nartatez added.
The seizure aligns with the PNP Focus Agenda, which prioritizes intelligence-driven enforcement and enhanced management of police operations to protect communities and strengthen fair trade. The agency reaffirmed its commitment under the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to ensure that all illegal activities are addressed swiftly and responsibly.
“Bagong PNP para sa Bagong Pilipinas: Serbisyong mabilis, tapat, at nararamdaman,” PGEN Nartatez concluded, underscoring the police force’s dedication to both law enforcement and public service