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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Metro Manila devider EPD seizes P464K worth of smuggled cigarettes in San Juan, Marikina stores

EPD seizes P464K worth of smuggled cigarettes in San Juan, Marikina stores

Published Apr 12, 2026 12:49 pm  |  Updated Apr 12, 2026 03:28 pm
The Eastern Police District (EPD) seized smuggled cigarettes worth P464,820 during a series of operations in local stores in San Juan and Marikina Cities on Friday, April 10.
Smuggled cigarettes confiscated by the Eastern Police District in operations in Marikina and San Juan Cities. (Photo from EPD)
Smuggled cigarettes confiscated by the Eastern Police District in operations in Marikina and San Juan Cities. (Photo from EPD)
The Marikina City Police Station’s Intelligence Section, together with the District Intelligence Division (DID), District Special Operations Unit (DSOU), District Mobile Force Battalion (DMFB), barangay personnel, Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), and tobacco industry representatives, conducted operations in three barangays.
In Barangay Dela Peña, cigarette packs worth P600 were confiscated in a local store. In Barangay Nangka, assorted cigarette brands worth P28,700 were seized from another establishment.
In Marikina Heights, smuggled cigarettes worth P412,000 were discovered in a store along Gen. Ordoñez Street, consisting of various unregistered and untaxed brands.
With these three operations, a total of P441,300 worth of cigarette products were recovered, which authorities said were found to have no BIR tax stamps and the mandated graphic health warnings.
The tobacco industry representatives also confirmed that the products were smuggled and illegally distributed.
In San Juan City, the San Juan City Police Station, DID, and Sub-Station 5, with the Philippine Tobacco Institute, conducted operations at around 12:30 p.m. in Barangay Salapan. It led to the confiscation of 196 smuggled packs of “Homer (Red)” and “Xplore (White)” brands of cigarettes, amounting to P23,520 from a sari-sari store.
EPD said the confiscated items were also found to be non-compliant with existing laws, with no BIR excise tax stamps and graphic health warnings and in violation of the National Internal Revenue Code, Republic Act 10643 (Graphic Health Warning Act), and Republic Act 10863 (Customs Modernization and Tariff Act).
All recovered items were brought to the respective city police station for inventory and documentation, and will be turned over to the Bureau of Internal Revenue for further legal action.
“We will not allow this kind of illegal activity to persist. These successive operations clearly demonstrate our firm and unwavering commitment to intensifying the campaign against smuggling and illicit trade,” EPD District Director Brig. Gen. Aden T. Lagradante said.
“Such unlawful acts not only violate existing laws but also pose serious risks to public health and deprive the government of rightful revenues. The public can expect that we will sustain and further strengthen our enforcement efforts to ensure that all those who violate the law are held fully accountable,” he added.
The EPD vowed to remain committed to protecting public health, safeguarding government revenues, and maintaining law and order through sustained, intelligence-driven operations.

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