CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has intensified its campaign against illicit trade after authorities seized approximately ₱13.4 million worth of suspected smuggled cigarettes during an anti-smuggling operation in Misamis Oriental.
The operation was conducted by the Coast Guard District Northern Mindanao (CGDNM) through the Coast Guard Station Cagayan de Oro and Northeastern Misamis Oriental, in coordination with the Maritime Security and Law Enforcement Group-Northern Mindanao (MARSLEG-NM), Coast Guard Intelligence Unit-Cagayan de Oro (CGIU-CDO), Intelligence Detection Unit-Northern Mindanao (IDU-NM), and Special Projects Unit-Northern Mindanao (SPU-NM).
Acting on a report regarding the presence of alleged smuggled cigarettes, the joint operating team responded to the area of Mambayaan in the municipality of Balingasag, Misamis Oriental on June 12, 2026.
During the operation, authorities successfully apprehended around 336 boxes of cigarettes bearing the brands Canon and Green Hills, which were suspected of being illegally imported into the country. Also seized were two Toyota Innova vehicles believed to have been used in the transport and distribution of the contraband goods.
The confiscated cigarettes were estimated to have a market value of approximately ₱13.4 million, highlighting the significant scale of the suspected smuggling activity.
Following the apprehension, all seized items were properly documented and turned over to the Bureau of Customs (BOC) Region X on June 15, 2026, for further investigation and appropriate legal proceedings.
Authorities have yet to disclose whether arrests were made during the operation, but investigations are ongoing to identify the individuals and groups behind the alleged smuggling operation.
The Coast Guard said the successful interdiction reflects the agency’s continuing commitment to combat smuggling and other illegal activities that undermine government revenue collection and fair trade practices.
The operation is aligned with the PCG’s iCARE program, which emphasizes intensified law enforcement efforts, strengthened inter-agency cooperation, and the suppression of illicit trade across the country’s maritime and coastal areas.
The PCG reiterated its commitment to safeguarding the nation’s borders and preventing the entry and distribution of smuggled goods, stressing that sustained intelligence-driven operations and collaboration with partner agencies remain crucial in protecting the country’s economic interests and ensuring compliance with customs and trade regulations.
The seizure marks another significant accomplishment in the government’s ongoing anti-smuggling campaign in Northern Mindanao, as authorities continue to crack down on illegal trade networks operating in the region.