By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan

CONTRABAND. The unattended boxes of smuggled cigarettes worth approximately PHP12.8 million found near residential homes along the coast of Malabang in Lanao del Sur on Thursday (March 26, 2026). The Philippine National Police on Monday (March 30) said it has seized about PHP2 billion worth of smuggled cigarettes in nationwide operations from Jan. 1 to March 29. (Photo from Lanao del Sur PPO)

MANILA – The Philippine National Police (PNP) seized about PHP2 billion worth of smuggled cigarettes in nationwide operations from Jan. 1 to March 29 as it intensified its campaign against illegal tobacco trade.

Police conducted 3,153 operations, arresting 1,187 individuals. Seized were 246,085 packs and 484,064 reams of cigarettes, 9,961 master cases, and equipment used in illicit production.

The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group recorded the highest value of confiscations at over PHP690 million, followed by Police Regional Office-Zamboanga Peninsula (PRO-9) with more than PHP147 million and PRO-4A (Calabarzon) with over PHP116 million.

PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said smuggling has a huge impact on the economy and vowed to dismantle illegal networks.

“Hindi lang ‘yung nahuhuli sa operasyon kundi pati ‘yung nasa likod nito, hahabulin namin. Mula pinanggagalingan hanggang sa distribusyon, titiyakin naming mapapanagot ang mga sangkot (We will not only pursue those who are caught in the operation but also those who are behind it. From the source to the distribution, we will ensure that those involved are held accountable),” he said. (PNA)