P175M cigarettes seized in Zambales

Around 1,600 master cases of illicit cigarettes worth P175 million were seized by the Bureau of Customs (BOC) at a private port compound in Palauig, Zambales, on 20 October 2026.

In a belated report, the BOC said its personnel discovered the cigarettes inside four shipping containers during an operation conducted with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Philippine National Police (PNP), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Philippine Army, and other law enforcement agencies.

The operation was led by the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) units in Limay and Subic, alongside the Enforcement and Security Service (ESS) units in the same areas, PCG Task Force Aduana, PNP Regional Office 3, and DENR. The Philippine Army's 69th Infantry Battalion provided additional security.

Initial investigation showed that operatives detected a strong odor of tobacco coming from the four containers. Upon opening the containers, barangay officials and the PNP–Palauig discovered cigarettes bearing the Modern brand without Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) tax stamps.

The shipment was immediately seized and placed under BOC custody. The containers were subsequently sealed and padlocked as the investigation continued.

"Hindi natin hahayaang makalusot ang mga kargamentong hindi nagbabayad ng buwis. Sa tulong ng ating mga katuwang na ahensya, patuloy nating paiigtingin ang pagbabantay upang maprotektahan ang pondong para sa taumbayan at ang kabuhayan ng mga negosyong sumusunod sa batas," BOC Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno said.