NASIPIT, Agusan del Norte — Authorities have declared the interception of 54 container vans loaded with smuggled cigarettes and raw tobacco products at the Gothong Shipping Port in Barangay Talisay, Nasipit, as the largest and most historic anti-smuggling accomplishment jointly carried out by the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Bureau of Customs (BOC) in the country.
Following an exhaustive 17-day inventory and examination conducted by operating units from the 1st Agusan del Norte Provincial Mobile Force Company (1st ADN PMFC) and the Bureau of Customs Region 13 (BOC-13), authorities confirmed that the shipment has an estimated market value of ₱3.3 billion.
The massive operation led to the seizure of fifty-four (54) 40-foot container vans containing more than 54,000 master cases of assorted foreign and local cigarette brands, along with raw tobacco products believed to have been illegally transported into the country.
Authorities described the scale of the shipment as unprecedented, noting that the sheer volume and sophistication of the operation point to the involvement of an organized local and international smuggling syndicate.
Among the confiscated brands were 252, H&P, Commando, Bosqu, Carnival, Modern, Bros, Bossku, Delta, Centro, TS, and Raw Tobacco Cut Rag.
Law enforcement agencies said the operation now stands as one of the biggest tobacco smuggling interceptions ever recorded nationwide, marking a major victory in the government’s intensified campaign against illicit trade, economic sabotage, and large-scale smuggling activities that continue to undermine lawful industries and national revenue collection.
The operation was spearheaded by the 1st ADN PMFC under the leadership of PLTCOL Emerson L. Alipit, Force Commander, with the support of PCOL April Mark C. Young, Provincial Director of the Agusan del Norte Police Provincial Office (ADNPPO), and PBGEN Marcial Mariano P. Magistrado IV, Regional Director of Police Regional Office 13.
The Bureau of Customs Region 13 also played a crucial role in the successful operation through the leadership of District Commander Clint Ecleo, JD, of the Customs Police Division-Enforcement and Security Service, Port of Surigao District Office; Atty. Vicente Andrew M. Espina, Acting District Collector of the Port of Surigao; and SI-2 Redford L. Surposa, Field Station Chief of the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) for the Ports of Cagayan de Oro and Surigao.
Authorities credited the strategic collaboration between PNP Chief PGEN Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr., who ordered intensified crackdowns against smuggled cigarettes nationwide, and Bureau of Customs Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno, who issued the Letter of Authority (LOA) authorizing the lawful seizure and control of the contraband shipment.
The operation was conducted under the provisions of Republic Act No. 10863, or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA), which strengthens the Bureau of Customs’ authority in preventing smuggling and protecting national revenue. Authorities also cited Republic Act No. 12022, which reinforces government measures against agricultural and economic sabotage, including large-scale smuggling operations.
Despite concerns over possible links to highly organized smuggling syndicates due to the shipment’s enormous value and complexity, authorities said personnel involved in the operation remained steadfast in securing the seized contraband.
Operating teams maintained round-the-clock security over the shipment for 17 continuous days and counting to preserve the integrity of evidence during the lengthy inventory and documentation process in preparation for the filing of appropriate charges against those responsible.
Several government agencies and law enforcement units also provided operational support throughout the inventory and investigation process, including the Nasipit Municipal Police Station, ADNPPO Provincial Intelligence Unit, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Agusan del Norte, Maritime Police Station Agusan del Norte, Regional Intelligence Unit 13, Regional Intelligence Division 13, 2nd ADN Provincial Mobile Force Company, Philippine Ports Authority-Nasipit, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Region 13, Bureau of Internal Revenue, and the Nasipit local government unit.
Authorities emphasized that the successful operation demonstrates the growing strength of inter-agency coordination in combating smuggling and protecting the country’s economy from illegal trade networks.