BUTUAN CITY, Philippines — Police in the Caraga Region confiscated smuggled cigarettes worth ₱2,483,905 during a weeklong series of anti-criminality operations from September 28 to October 4, 2026, as authorities intensified efforts to curb the entry and distribution of illicit tobacco products.
The Police Regional Office 13 (PRO 13) reported that its units conducted 43 operations under the Simultaneous Anti-Criminality Law Enforcement Operations (SACLEO), resulting in the arrest of nine individuals and the issuance of citations to 34 others in connection with violations involving smuggled cigarettes.
The operations formed part of the police’s intensified campaign against cigarette smuggling across the region, according to PRO 13 Director Police Brigadier General Rolindo M. Suguilon.
Butuan City Accounts for Bulk of Seizure
The Butuan City Police Office (BCPO) recorded the largest confiscation, seizing 92 boxes or cartons, 260 packs, and 14 reams of cigarettes with an estimated value of ₱2,328,765.
The amount accounted for the overwhelming majority of the total value of cigarettes seized during the weeklong operations.
Other police units also reported confiscations across the region. The Agusan del Sur Police Provincial Office seized 181 reams of smuggled cigarettes valued at ₱89,640, while the Surigao del Norte Police Provincial Office confiscated 76 reams worth ₱37,500.
Meanwhile, the Surigao del Sur Police Provincial Office seized 51 reams of cigarettes with an estimated value of ₱28,000.
Collectively, the police reported confiscating 260 packs, 322 reams, and 92 boxes or cartons of smuggled cigarettes during the seven-day campaign.
Police Vow to Intensify Anti-Smuggling Campaign
Suguilon said PRO 13 would continue strengthening its enforcement operations and coordination with partner agencies to prevent smuggled cigarettes from entering, circulating, and proliferating throughout the Caraga Region.
“We will continue to strengthen our operations and coordination with our partner agencies to prevent the entry, distribution, and proliferation of smuggled cigarettes in the region,” Suguilon said.
He added that the recent SACLEO was only the beginning of further joint operations that the Police Regional Office 13 would undertake to combat smuggling and address criminality across the region.
The police said the campaign would continue to focus on enforcement activities aimed at curbing the movement and distribution of smuggled tobacco products.
The latest operation underscores the continuing law enforcement effort against cigarette smuggling in Caraga, with police units carrying out coordinated actions across multiple provinces and Butuan City.
Authorities have yet to provide further details on the identities of those arrested, the specific circumstances surrounding the confiscations, or the subsequent legal proceedings in the cases.