Negros police destroy PHP 8.9 million smuggled cigarettes

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — The Negros Occidental Maritime Police destroyed PHP 8.9 million worth of smuggled cigarettes at the sanitary landfill in Barangay Concepcion, Talisay City, Negros Occidental, on Thursday.

The disposed contraband included 11,450 reams of illicit cigarettes seized during a police operation in Barangay Tiling, Cauayan town, on May 19, 2025.

Among the confiscated items were 4,300 reams of Dunston cigarettes, 800 reams of Fort, 2,350 reams of Casa Blanca, and 4,000 reams of Champion cigarettes.

Authorities said the cigarettes were shredded, soaked, and buried in accordance with sanitary landfill regulations to prevent them from being recovered or resold.

Talisay City Mayor Rowena Lizares commended the maritime police, the City Environment and Natural Resources Office, and the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office for carrying out the disposal.

She reiterated the city government’s support for anti-smuggling efforts and stronger measures against the illegal tobacco trade in the province.

The city government also underscored the importance of continued coordination between local government units and law enforcement agencies in combating illegal trade, counterfeit tobacco products, and other activities that pose risks to public welfare, legitimate businesses, and public health.

The disposal came as national authorities continue to intensify operations against illicit tobacco trade, with the Bureau of Customs reporting PHP 1.8 billion worth of smuggled cigarettes and cigarette manufacturing materials seized as of March 2, 2026.

Last month, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group dismantled an alleged large-scale illegal cigarette manufacturing and distribution network in the province after authorities uncovered nearly PHP 800 million worth of equipment, raw materials, and packaging supplies in Barangay Calumangan, Bago City, and Bacolod City.

The Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region earlier said it would continue intensifying operations against cigarette smuggling across the region.