Three individuals were arrested while an estimated ₱375,000 worth of illicit cigarettes were confiscated during a late-night law enforcement operation conducted by operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and the Tagum City Police Station in Barangay Cuambogan, authorities said.
The operation, carried out from around 10:00 p.m. of May 13 until 1:00 a.m. of May 14, 2026, resulted in the arrest of three male suspects identified only by their aliases “Cesar,” “Lando,” and “Jo,” all of legal age.
According to a report submitted to PMGEN Robert AA Morico II, the suspects were allegedly caught in the act of selling and trading cigarettes without the mandatory graphic health warnings and Internal Revenue tax stamps. Authorities said the confiscated items consisted of 15 master cases of cigarettes believed to be illegally distributed in violation of Republic Act No. 10643, or the Graphic Health Warnings Law, and Republic Act No. 8424, also known as the Tax Reform Act of 1997.
Police authorities stressed that the Graphic Health Warnings Law was enacted to protect public health by ensuring consumers are informed of the dangers of tobacco use and safeguarded from substandard and illegally traded tobacco products. The absence of proper tax stamps, meanwhile, constitutes a violation of tax laws designed to ensure government revenues are properly collected from tobacco products being sold in the market.
Morico underscored that the government remains firm in its campaign against illicit tobacco trade, noting that illegal cigarette operations not only endanger public health but also deprive the government of millions of pesos in tax revenues. He emphasized that the intensified crackdown forms part of the nationwide directive of PGEN Jose Melencio C Nartatez Jr. to dismantle illegal cigarette operations across the country.
The CIDG leadership also commended PLTCOL Ariel T Huesca and the CIDG Davao Del Norte Provincial Field Unit headed by PLTCOL Rogelio B Pineda Jr. for the successful operation and apprehension of the suspects.
Authorities said the seized cigarettes and arrested individuals were brought to the proper authorities for documentation and filing of appropriate charges.
The CIDG reiterated its commitment to intensify operations against all forms of illegal trade and criminal activities, warning that law enforcement agencies will remain relentless in pursuing violators throughout the country.