Authorities seized an estimated P1.5 billion worth of unregistered tobacco products during a routine New Year’s Eve patrol in Malabon.

According to the Philippine National Police (PNP), personnel from the Regional Highway Patrol Unit–National Capital Region (RHPU-NCR), together with RHPU-3, were conducting anti-carnapping and traffic enforcement operations along M.H. Del Pilar Avenue in Barangay Maysilo, Malabon, on 31 December 2025.

Police said officers spotted two male motorcycle riders who were not wearing helmets. When the riders ignored police signals to stop, authorities pursued them until they entered the compound of a cargo facility.

With the assistance of the facility’s security guard, police cornered the suspects behind 18 cargo containers.

While apprehending one of the motorcycle riders for traffic violations, officers discovered an open container loaded with boxes of unregistered imported cigarettes, estimated to be worth about P1.5 billion.

The security guard, 47, along with two male employees aged 31 and 44, failed to present documents for the seized tobacco products and were subsequently arrested.

The motorcycle rider was issued a Temporary Operator’s Permit (TOP) for not wearing a helmet, while the containers of tobacco products were cordoned off and secured by authorities.

Earlier the same day, at around 11:20 a.m., joint personnel from the Highway Patrol Group–Special Operations Division and RHPU-4A, in coordination with Police Regional Office 4A, recovered a stolen red Hyundai Accent in Sitio Singko, Balete, Batangas City.

During the inspection, police discovered abandoned containers, some of which reportedly contained smuggled tobacco products valued at around P1.1 billion.

PNP chief Rommel Francisco Marbil, during a press briefing on Jan. 1, 2026, underscored the importance of the Malabon operation.

“This discovery underscores the PNP’s commitment to preventing illegal trade and ensuring the safety of the public,” he said.