Camp Olivas, City of San Fernando, Pampanga — A follow-up operation stemming from an interception in Mabalacat City led Police Regional Office 3 (PRO3) where 15 trailer trucks carrying an estimated P960 million worth of suspected smuggled/illicit cigarettes were confiscated in separate areas of Bataan and Pampanga on September 7, 2026.
The operation developed from the earlier interception of an Isuzu GIGA Wing Van along MacArthur Highway, Barangay Cacutud, Mabalacat City, Pampanga, at about 12:30 AM on the same day.
The vehicle was found loaded with 759 master cases of suspected smuggled/illicit cigarettes.
Information gathered during the subsequent investigation indicated that the shipment may have originated from a private seaport in Mariveles, Bataan, prompting intelligence operatives of the Regional Special Operations Group–Regional Intelligence Division 3 (RSOG-RID3) to proceed to the area and conduct surveillance.
During the surveillance, several trailer trucks carrying 40-foot container vans were monitored in the area.
The trucks were observed leaving one after another, prompting operating units to position along identified routes in Bataan and Pampanga.
The follow-up operation resulted in the interception of seven (7) trailer trucks in Abucay, two (2) in Limay, and one (1) in Orion, all in Bataan, and five (5) in Lubao, Pampanga.
The trucks were subsequently found carrying substantial quantities of suspected smuggled/illicit cigarette products.
Based on initial estimates, the cigarette products loaded in the said trucks have an aggregate value of approximately P960 million, subject to final inventory and verification by the appropriate authorities.
Beyond the value of the intercepted products, PRO3 underscored the wider impact of illicit trade on communities.
The illegal movement and distribution of cigarettes can deprive the government of revenues intended for public programs and services, place legitimate businesses and law-abiding retailers at a disadvantage, and allow illegal networks to profit outside established regulatory systems.
PRO3 Regional Director PBGEN Jess Mendez said the successful follow-up demonstrates the importance of acting immediately on intelligence developed from previous police operations.
“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.
PRO3 is coordinating with concerned government agencies for the proper verification and disposition of the intercepted products and the filing of appropriate charges against those who may be found liable.
Based on the police report, no individuals were reported arrested during the said operation.
