Around P48.9-million worth of suspected illicit cigarettes were intercepted during a joint law enforcement operation in Mabalacat City, Pampanga, on 7 September 2026.

According to police, they intercepted a wing van carrying the said illegal illicit cigarettes at around 12:30am.

Personnel from the Regional Special Operations Group-Regional Intelligence Division 3 (RSOG-RID3), Mabalacat City Police Station, and CIDG Regional Field Unit 3 intercepted the Isuzu GIGA wing van along MacArthur Highway at Barangay Cacutud.

The operation followed more than a week of surveillance after authorities monitored the vehicle allegedly being used to transport and store master cases of suspected illicit cigarettes at a secluded location in the city.

A search of the truck led to the discovery of 759 master cases of “Modern” cigarettes—329 master cases of red packs and 430 master cases of blue packs. The products were observed to have no BIR tax stamps and remain subject to further examination and verification.

The cigarettes have an estimated market value of P48,955,500. Police also recovered the truck and three cellular phones, while four individuals aboard the vehicle were arrested.

Police stated that the impact of the operation goes beyond the amount of contraband seized. Illicit trade deprives the government of potential revenues that could support public services, puts legitimate businesses at a disadvantage, and allows illegal trade networks to profit at the expense of lawful commerce. Keeping these products off the market helps protect consumers, businesses, and the local economy.

The recovered items were inventoried in the presence of the arrested individuals and a barangay official. Alternative recording devices were also used during the operation in accordance with existing operational procedures.

The four arrested individuals and the recovered evidence were brought to RSOG-RID3 for documentation and proper disposition. PRO3 is coordinating with the appropriate government agencies to determine the applicable violations and to conduct further examination and verification of the recovered cigarette products.