Authorities seized some P7.7-million worth of illegal cigarettes during a joint law enforcement operation in the town of Tukuran, Zamboanga del Sur on 13 July 2026 that also led to the arrest of a suspect.

According to the Philippine National Police (PNP), personnel of the Tukuran Municipal Police Station, together with the Zamboanga del Sur Provincial Intelligence Unit, Regional Intelligence Division 9, and 902nd Regional Mobile Force Battalion 9, in coordination with the Bureau of Customs and the Philippine Tobacco Institute (PTI), conducted the said operation.

The operation was conducted at Purok Kinhason, Barangay Panduma, following information regarding the alleged unloading and storage of illicit cigarette products in the area, leading to the arrest of a 52-year-old male suspect.

The suspect, aboard a minivan full of the said contraband, failed to present the necessary documents covering the items. Upon inspection, authorities found the products to be illicit cigarettes that did not bear the required graphic health warnings.

Recovered during the operation were 49 master cases of illicit cigarettes with an estimated total value of P7.73 million. The seized items were turned over to the Bureau of Customs for proper disposition, while the arrested suspect was brought to the Tukuran Municipal Police Station for appropriate legal proceedings.

The operation is part of the PNP’s commitment under the Enhanced Managing Police Operations of the PNP Focused Agenda, aligned with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to strengthen law enforcement efforts against activities that undermine public interest and government revenue.

Through sustained operations and stronger inter-agency cooperation, the PNP continues to advance the vision of a “Bagong PNP para sa Bagong Pilipinas: Serbisyong Mabilis, Tapat at Nararamdaman,” delivering responsive and accountable police service to the Filipino people.