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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider PNP seizes P1.5B more unregistered cigarettes in Malabon

PNP seizes P1.5B more unregistered cigarettes in Malabon

Published Jan 1, 2026 07:13 pm
(Photo: Philippine National Police)
(Photo: Philippine National Police)
After discovering some P1.1 billion worth of allegedly smuggled tobacco products in Batangas City, the Philippine National Police (PNP) found another P1.5 billion unregistered cigarettes in Malabon City.
The discovery was made during a routine New Year’s Eve patrol by elements of the Highway Patrol Group (HPG) – Regional Highway Patrol Unit–National Capital Region (RHPU NCR) along M.H. Del Pilar Avenue in Barangay Maysilo around 10:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 31.
A report from the PNP said that police officers were conducting intelligence-driven anti-carnapping and traffic enforcement operations when they spotted a motorcycle rider and his backrider, both suspected carnappers, who were not wearing helmets.
The cops signaled the motorcycle riders to stop for an inspection but they ignored the authorities and sped off, sparking a pursuit operation.
The hot pursuit led the authorities to a compound of a cargo facility. Police, with the help of a security guard, cornered them inside the compound behind 18 cargo containers.
The PNP said that while issuing a violation ticket to one of the riders, the officers noticed an open container filled with boxes of imported cigarettes from South Korea. Initial inspection showed the items were unregistered and lacked proper documentation.
Police Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., acting PNP chief, said they suspect that the two riders were stealing cigarette packs from the open cargo containers.
The security guard, 47, and two male employees of the cargo facility, aged 31 and 44, were arrested after failing to present permits for the tobacco products. Authorities secured the containers and placed the area under police control.
One of the riders was also placed under police custody while the other one escaped. A follow up operation was conducted to hunt him down.
Read: PNP orders probe into seized P1.1-B 'smuggled' cigarettes
The seizure followed an earlier operation by the PNP-HPG in Batangas City where authorities recovered a stolen vehicle in Barangay Balete and later found abandoned containers believed to contain smuggled cigarettes valued at around P1.1 billion early morning on Wednesday.
The total value of seized unregistered cigarettes during separate operations on New Year's Eve has now reached P2.6 billion.
“This discovery underscores the PNP’s commitment to preventing illegal trade and ensuring the safety of the public,” Nartatez said during a press conference in Malabon City.
Nartatez added that the owner of the containers, cigarettes, and the cargo yard could face charges for violation of Republic Act No. 12022 or the Anti-Agricultural Sabotage Act.

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PNP cigarettes smuggling Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr.
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