Some P5-million worth of illegal cigarettes were seized by the authorities during a law enforcement operation at Barangay Cruz in the town of Victoria, Tarlac, on December 13, 2025.

According to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), the CIDG Tarlac Provincial Field Unit together with Provincial Intelligence Team of Tarlac and territorial police units conducted the said law enforcement operation.

The operation led to the arrest of male suspect and and confiscation 317 boxes/master cases of assorted alleged illicit cigarettes.

According to a report to Police Major General Robert AA Morico II, Acting Director of the CIDG, the arrested suspect is identified as Anton. The suspect is a 37-year-old man, married, and resident of Brgy. San Francisco, San Antonio, Nueva Ecija.

He was caught while in possession and control of 317 master cases of assorted tobacco products with an estimated value of P5,072,000.00 without the required graphic health warnings.

The Director CIDG emphasized that under Republic Act 10643 or “Graphic Health Warnings Law”, the State protects and promotes the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them; and protects consumers from trade malpractices and from substandard tobacco products.

Further, the State recognizes that based on empirical data, text warnings have been shown to be insufficient in conveying the dangers of tobacco products while Graphic Health Warnings have been shown to be more effective in conveying the truth about the dangers of exposure and consumption of tobacco smoke.

The CIDG leadership lauds PCOL Grant A Gollod, the Regional Chief of CIDG Regional Field Unit 3, and the CIDG Tarlac Provincial Field Unit led by its Provincial Officer- PMAJ Arvin E Hosmillo for the confiscation of these alleged illicit tobacco products, and the arrest of the violator of law.