Camp Olivas, City of San Fernando, Pampanga — Police Regional Office 3 (PRO3) intercepted a wing van carrying nearly ₱49 million worth of suspected illicit cigarettes during a joint operation in Mabalacat City, Pampanga, on September 7, 2026.
At around 12:30 AM, personnel of the Regional Special Operations Group-Regional Intelligence Division 3 (RSOG-RID3), Mabalacat City Police Station, and CIDG Regional Field Unit 3 led by PLtCol Lory Tarrazona intercepted an Isuzu GIGA wing van along MacArthur Highway in 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 ₱48,955,500. Police also recovered the truck and three cellular phones, while four individuals aboard the vehicle were arrested.
PRO3 said 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.
PRO3 Director PBGEN Jess B Mendez said the operation showed the importance of sustained intelligence work and close coordination among operating units.
“This is more than a ₱48.9-million seizure. Every shipment of illicit goods that we stop is one less opportunity for illegal trade to profit at the expense of legitimate businesses and our communities. We will continue to use intelligence, coordination, and focused police operations to disrupt these activities before these products reach the market,” PBGEN Mendez said.
The operation supports the PNP Focused Agenda of Chief, PNP PGEN Jose Melencio C Nartatez Jr., particularly the push for focused and intelligence-driven law enforcement, stronger coordination among police units, and operations that deliver tangible results for the communities they serve.
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.
PRO3 will continue to pursue intelligence-driven operations against illicit trade and other illegal activities that threaten legitimate commerce and the safety and economic well-being of communities across Central Luzon.
