CAVITE – Police seized P70,000 worth of illicit cigarettes and arrested a man transporting them during an “Oplan Sita” operation in Magallanes on Wednesday, Aug. 19.
Authorities confiscated P70,000 worth of illicit cigarettes and arrested a man transporting them in an "Oplan Sita" operation in Magallanes on Aug. 19, 2026 (Photo from Cavite PPO/MANILA BULLETIN)
The Cavite Police Provincial Office (Cavite PPO) identified the suspect as alias JM, a resident of Nasugbu, Batangas.
Personnel from the Magallanes Municipal Police Station (Magallanes MPS) were conducting a routine inspection along Maragondon-Magallanes Road when they flagged down the utility van driven by the suspect.
Alias JM, however, ignored the police signal, prompting the authorities to pursue and intercept him.
During the inspection, the police found boxes of cigarette products inside the vehicle, but the suspect failed to present the required documents authorizing the possession, transportation, or distribution of the products.
The boxes contained 125 reams of cigarettes without the prescribed graphic health warnings required under Republic Act No. 10643, or the Graphic Health Warnings Law.
Based on the brands mentioned in a report from the Police Regional Office 4A, the cigarettes appear to be foreign-manufactured, although authorities did not specify their country of origin.
In a statement, Cavite PPO director Col. Ariel R. Red commended the Magallanes MPS personnel for being alert during the routine inspection, which led to the discovery of the illicit products.