TAGOLOAN, Misamis Oriental — Police authorities seized 155 reams of suspected smuggled cigarettes worth approximately ₱124,000 and apprehended a vendor allegedly involved in their illegal sale during an enforcement operation at the public market in Zone 7, Poblacion, Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental, on August 19, 2026.
The operation was conducted at around 4:20 p.m. by personnel of the Provincial Intelligence Unit (PIU) of the Misamis Oriental Police Provincial Office (MORPPO), in coordination with the Tagoloan Municipal Police Station (MPS) and the Tagoloan Rural Health Unit.
Apprehended was alias “Jojo,” 30, married, a vendor and resident of Misamis Oriental, who was allegedly engaged in selling smuggled cigarettes without the required permit.
Police said the operation stemmed from information received regarding the alleged illegal sale of smuggled tobacco products at the Tagoloan Public Market. Acting on the information, the Tracker Team of PIU-MORPPO, which served as the lead unit, coordinated with Tagoloan MPS and the Rural Health Unit before conducting the enforcement activity.
During the operation, authorities confiscated a total of 155 reams of assorted suspected smuggled cigarettes, consisting of 96 reams of Modern cigarettes and 59 reams of Cannon cigarettes. The seized tobacco products were placed under police custody for documentation and further disposition.
Aside from the confiscation, the apprehended vendor was issued Citation Ticket No. 0493 for an alleged violation of the Municipal Tax Revenue Code.
The confiscated cigarettes were brought to the Tagoloan MPS for proper inventory and documentation. Police said the items will subsequently be turned over to the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO) of Tagoloan for proper disposition in accordance with applicable procedures.
The operation forms part of the continuing campaign of law enforcement authorities to curb the sale and distribution of smuggled tobacco products, which are being traded outside the legitimate regulatory and taxation system.
Police Regional Office 10 Regional Director PBGen Christopher N. Abrahano commended the operating personnel for their vigilance and continued efforts to prevent the proliferation of smuggled cigarettes in communities across Northern Mindanao.
“Our ongoing crackdowns send a clear message: illegal smuggled cigarettes has no place in our communities. We are maximizing joint operations with local government units and regulatory partners to disrupt these networks and uphold the law,” Abrahano said.
PRO10 said it will continue strengthening its campaign against cigarette smuggling and other forms of illegal trade through sustained enforcement operations and closer coordination with local government units and partner agencies.
Authorities emphasized that the latest seizure demonstrates the importance of intelligence-driven operations and inter-agency cooperation in identifying and disrupting the local distribution of suspected smuggled tobacco products.
The confiscation also underscores the continuing efforts of police and local authorities to ensure that tobacco products being sold in public markets comply with existing permits, taxation requirements and other government regulations.