P1-M worth of smuggled cigarettes seized in Rizal, Palawan

In a coordinated anti-smuggling operation carried out earlier this week, law enforcement authorities in Rizal town, southern Palawan, confiscated nearly ₱1 million worth of contraband cigarettes and arrested a local vendor suspected of illegal trade.

The suspect, a 47-year-old male identified by authorities as “Melnor,” was taken into custody around 10:30 a.m. on June 18 at his residence in Barangay Punta Baja. The arrest was made in execution of a search warrant issued by Judge Ramon Chito R. Mendoza of the Regional Trial Court Branch 165 in Brooke’s Point.

Officials from multiple agencies, including the 2nd Special Operations Unit–Maritime Group (2nd SOU-MG), Criminal Investigation Division–Palawan (CID-PAL), Philippine Coast Guard Intelligence Group Palawan, Philippine Tobacco Institute (PTI), Palawan Intelligence Unit, Palawan Provincial Police Office, and the Rizal Municipal Police Station, participated in the joint operation.

According to the inventory conducted on site, the seizure included 1,000 reams of New Berlin cigarettes valued at ₱700,000, 350 reams of Fort Menthol (100s) worth ₱245,000, and 441 packs of New Berlin cigarettes valued at ₱30,800. Smaller quantities included 11 reams of Modern cigarettes estimated at ₱6,930 and 221 packs of Fort Menthol (100s) amounting to ₱14,700.

The total market value of the seized items was estimated at ₱997,430.

The inventory and documentation of evidence were conducted in the presence of local barangay officials and the suspect, in accordance with legal procedures.

As of this writing, the suspect is in the custody of the 2nd SOU-Quezon Satellite Base Command and is undergoing legal processing. Authorities have not yet released specific charges but confirmed that violations related to the illicit distribution of tobacco products are being prepared.

Smuggling of cigarettes in Palawan has been a recurring issue in recent years, with vendors in remote towns often linked to illegal supply chains operating outside the tax system.

The operation in Rizal signals a renewed push from both national and local enforcement bodies to regulate the tobacco trade and enforce existing trade and tax laws.