By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan

JOINT EFFORTS. Police Regional Office and Bureau of Internal Revenue Central Visayas units seize PHP20 million worth of smuggled cigarettes and arrested two individuals during a joint operation in Mandaue City on March 26, 2025. In a news release Sunday (March 30), PRO-7 chief Brig. Gen. Redrico Maranan said smuggling undermines legitimate businesses poses a serious risk to public health. (Photo courtesy of PRO-7)

MANILA – Police seized PHP20 million worth of counterfeit cigarettes and arrested two individuals during a joint operation with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) in Mandaue City last week.

In a belated news release Sunday, Police Regional Office-Central Visayas chief Brig. Gen. Redrico Maranan said the operation on March 26 was launched after the BIR requested police assistance.

The operation targeted locations in Espina Compound, Sitio Sta. Cruz and A.S. Fortuna Extension corner A. Del Rosario Street, all in Barangay Guizo.

Seized during the operation were 334 master cases and 167,765 packs of cigarettes, along with an additional five boxes containing 2,500 packs, collectively valued at approximately PHP20,431,800.00, with each cigarette stick valued at PHP6.

“This operation decisively addresses the escalating threat of smuggling, which undermines legitimate businesses and poses a serious risk to public health. We are committed to safeguarding our communities and strengthening the integrity of our economy,” Maranan said.

The suspects and seized evidence were turned over to the Regional Special Project Unit 7 for proper processing and will face charges under Republic Act 10863 or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act. (Christopher Lloyd Caliwan/PNA)