Police seized an estimated P960 million worth of suspected smuggled cigarettes and arrested 14 people in separate operations in Pampanga and Bataan, the Police Regional Office 3 reported Wednesday.

PRO 3 director Brig. Gen. Jess Mendez said the operations began when police intercepted an Isuzu Giga wing van in Mabalacat City, Pampanga, at about 12:30 a.m. on 7 September.

Authorities found 759 master cases of suspected illicit cigarettes inside the vehicle.

Information obtained during the investigation indicated that the shipment might have originated from a private seaport in Mariveles, Bataan.

Intelligence operatives from the Regional Special Operations Group and Regional Intelligence Division 3 proceeded to the area and conducted surveillance.

Police monitored several trailer trucks carrying 40-foot container vans before they left the area one after another later that day.

Operating units positioned themselves along identified routes in Bataan and Pampanga.

The follow-up operation resulted in the interception of seven trailer trucks in Abucay, two in Limay and one in Orion, all in Bataan. Five more trucks were stopped in Lubao, Pampanga.

Police said the 15 container vans were carrying substantial quantities of suspected smuggled cigarettes.

The seized products had a preliminary estimated value of P960 million, subject to a final inventory and verification by concerned government agencies.

Fourteen people, most of them drivers, were arrested.

Mendez said investigators were working to identify the owners and operators behind the shipments. Police were also preparing charges under the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act.

“The earlier interception in Mabalacat City provided our personnel with information that we immediately pursued. This follow-up operation prevented another substantial volume of suspected illicit cigarettes from reaching the market. More importantly, we are pursuing the source and the people behind their movement and distribution because illegal trade affects government revenues, legitimate businesses, and ultimately our communities,” Mendez said.

PRO 3 said it was coordinating with concerned agencies to verify and properly dispose of the seized products and determine the charges against those found liable.