IPIL, Zamboanga Sibugay — Police recovered 30 master cases of assorted cigarettes with a Bureau of Customs (BOC) standard value of ₱1.719 million during an intelligence-driven operation in Barangay Tiayon, Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay, on September 30, 2026.
The operation was conducted by the Provincial Intelligence Unit (PIU) of the Zamboanga Sibugay Police Provincial Office (ZSPPO) in coordination with other operating units following information about a pump boat allegedly transporting and unloading several boxes of suspected smuggled or illicit cigarettes in the area.
Acting on the information, police personnel proceeded to the reported location and found the cigarette shipments abandoned.
The recovered items consisted of 14 master cases of San Marino Cigarettes, 12 master cases of Mavis Cigarettes, and four master cases of Premiex Menthol Cigarettes, for a total of 30 master cases.
Despite the recovery, authorities said the reported pump boat had already left the area by the time the operating personnel arrived. No individual was found at the site during the operation.
ZSPPO Provincial Director PCOL Barnard Danie V. Dasugo said the police would continue strengthening coordination and intelligence-driven operations against the entry and distribution of illegal products in the province.
“Hindi natin hahayaan maging daanan ang ating lalawigan ng mga ilegal na produkto. Patuloy nating palalakasin ang ating koordinasyon at intelligence operations upang maagapan ang mga ganitong aktibidad at mapanagot ang sinumang mapatutunayang sangkot sa paglabag sa batas,” Dasugo said.
The police said the recovered cigarettes were brought to the seaport, where an inventory and proper markings were conducted for documentation and accountability.
The inventory and marking procedures were witnessed by two barangay councilors from Barangay Tiayon, providing local witnesses during the documentation of the recovered shipment.
The cigarette products are currently under the custody of the Ipil Municipal Police Station (MPS) pending completion of the necessary documentation and their subsequent turnover to the Bureau of Customs in Pagadian City for proper disposition.
Authorities have not identified any suspect in connection with the recovered shipment. The circumstances surrounding the abandoned cigarettes, including the identity of those who allegedly transported and unloaded them, remain subject to further investigation.
The recovery underscores the role of intelligence gathering and inter-agency coordination in intercepting suspected illicit shipments even when those responsible are no longer at the scene. Police are expected to continue efforts to identify the individuals behind the shipment and determine whether further enforcement action can be pursued.