The Philippine National Police (PNP) vowed on Thursday, Feb, 5, to sustain the gains from high-impact anti-smuggling operations which have so far resulted in the confiscation of multi-billion worth of cigarettes and other contraband.

PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez, Jr. said the successful operations, which started with the confiscation of P1.1 billion worth of smuggled cigarettes in Batangas City on Dec. 31 last year, highlighted the police commitment to internal security and economic protection.

“These series of successful anti-smuggling operations are proof of your PNP’s commitment not only to maintain peace and order but also protect our economy and the national interest,” said Nartatez.

“Let these operations serve as a stern warning to all smugglers that the PNP will not allow you to circumvent and disregard our laws to enrich yourselves at the expense of the Filipino people,” he added.

The latest operation involved a raid at a suspected illegal cigarette factory in a warehouse in Barangay Panipuan, Mexico, Pampanga last Jan. 28 which resulted in the arrest of six Chinese and rescue of 63 Filipino workers.

Initial investigation showed the warehouse was operating without valid permits and contained cigarettes, cigarette-making machines, production equipment, and scattered tax stamps.

The brands of cigarettes found in the warehouse were similar to those seized in Batangas City and the Jan. 1, 2026 operation in Malabon which yielded P1.5 billion worth of cigarettes.

“This shows that the PNP is serious about stopping the illegal trade of smuggled goods in our country. We will continue to protect our communities from illegal goods and ensure that laws are strictly enforced,” Nartatez said.

He then emphasized that the discovery of the cigarette factory reflects a broader strategy of the PNP to track the supply chain of contraband from entry points to secret manufacturing hubs.

Aside from a series of successful operations against smuggled cigarettes, PNP-HPG units also confiscated P221.5 million worth of allegedly misdeclared Apple products during a checkpoint in Quezon City last Jan. 28.

The confiscated items included various iPhone and iPad units, which were found inside four aluminum closed vans that were initially stopped for traffic violations such as plate issues and failure to wear seatbelts, on Mindanao Avenue in Barangay Bahay Toro.