The Philippine National Police (PNP) revealed on Wednesday, Feb. 11, that it has begun case buildup against the financier behind a P47.5 million illegal cigarette operation discovered in Tarlac.

Police General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr., PNP chief, lauded the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) for seizing the illegal cigarettes as part of a larger crackdown targeting the masterminds and financiers of tobacco smuggling in the country.

“This latest accomplishment against cigarette smuggling is proof of the PNP’s commitment to dismantle the entire network of illegal operations in the country. And this includes holding the financiers and all the other personalities involved in this illegal activity responsible,” he said.

CIDG operatives seized 683 master cases of illicit cigarettes during follow-up operations in Barangay Tibag, Tarlac City from February 9 to 10.

The contraband was found in two unattended container vans after the suspected supplier failed to show up at a designated meeting point with undercover operatives.

Authorities are now tracking the supplier behind the operation, whose identity was not divulged so as not to jeopardize the operations.

The follow-up operation stemmed from intelligence information linking four suspects arrested by the CIDG last Feb. 8 to a wider smuggling network using Tarlac as a logistics hub.

“Our intelligence shows that Tarlac has become a strategic transit hub. While some of these products were likely meant for the local markets in Central Luzon, the volume suggests it was a staging point for distribution to Metro Manila. Alam niyo naman, kapag mas malapit sa NCR, mas malaki ang kita nila (You know, the closer they are to the NCR, the bigger their profit is),” Nartatez stated.

The top cop explained that smugglers are now using a “feeder” strategy to transport goods in smaller batches to avoid detection.

“We intercepted this exactly because we followed the trail from the four suspects we arrested earlier. Ang strategy nila ngayon ay ‘feeder’ style—pira-piraso ang pag-transport para hindi agad mahuli ang malaking bulto pero hindi sila makakalusot sa ating pinaigting na monitoring (Their strategy now is ‘feeder’ style—transporting in small batches so the large shipment won’t be immediately caught, but they still won’t get past our intensified monitoring),” he added.

Since late last year, the PNP has seized several billion pesos’ worth of illicit cigarettes in Batangas, Malabon City, Bulacan, Davao del Sur, Pampanga, and other areas.

Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla previously tagged at least two politicians as financiers of cigarette smuggling.

Nartatez said the PNP is assisting in gathering evidence and building cases against all individuals responsible for the illegal trade.