DAVAO CITY — Authorities seized an estimated ₱2.5 million worth of suspected smuggled cigarettes and arrested a delivery crew member during an early morning operation in Barangay Maa on Monday, April 6, 2026.
Operatives from the Maa Police Station’s intelligence unit conducted the operation at around 4:05 a.m. in Purok 27, Camansi Riverside, leading to the confiscation of approximately 50 cartons of undocumented cigarettes believed to have been illegally transported and distributed in the city.
Arrested during the operation was a 33-year-old male, identified only by the alias “Dems,” a delivery crew member and resident of Zamboanga City. Authorities said the suspect was apprehended on-site while in possession of the contraband goods.
Police reported that the seized cigarettes are suspected to have been smuggled into the country, bypassing proper customs documentation and health regulations. The haul highlights the continuing challenge faced by law enforcement in curbing the illegal tobacco trade, which undermines government revenue collection and public health policies.
The suspect is currently under police custody and is set to face charges for violations of Republic Act 10643, or the Graphic Health Warnings Law, which mandates proper labeling of tobacco products, and Republic Act 10863, also known as the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, which penalizes the unlawful importation and distribution of goods.
Authorities have not ruled out the possibility that the arrested individual is part of a larger smuggling network operating in Mindanao. Further investigation is ongoing to identify other individuals involved and trace the origin and intended distribution channels of the seized cigarettes.
The Davao City Police Office reiterated its commitment to intensifying anti-smuggling operations and urged the public to report suspicious activities linked to the illegal trade of goods.