IPIL, Zamboanga Sibugay — Authorities confiscated an estimated ₱480,174 worth of cigarettes during a joint law enforcement operation at a farm shed in Barangay Bangkerohan, Ipil, on the evening of November 11, 2026, following the implementation of a search warrant against the suspected owner of the property.
The operation was conducted at around 9:30 p.m. by a composite team led by the Zamboanga Sibugay Maritime Police Station (ZS MARPSTA), with personnel from the Ipil Municipal Police Station (MPS), Zamboanga Sibugay Police Intelligence Team–Regional Intelligence Unit 9 (ZSBPIT-RIU9), Provincial Intelligence Unit of Zamboanga Sibugay (PIU-Zamboanga Sibugay), 5th Special Operations Unit–Mabuhay Special Boat Unit (5th SOU-Mabuhay SBU), and representatives of the Philippine Tobacco Institute.
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The search warrant, issued on November 10 by Judge Orwin Lloyd Montajes Famor, Presiding Judge of Branch 9 of the Family Court under the 9th Judicial Region, was directed against the suspected owner of the premises for an alleged violation of Republic Act No. 10643, also known as the Graphic Health Warnings Law.
Authorities reported that the suspected owner was not present when the search was conducted. However, one of his friends was present and served as a witness, together with a barangay representative and a media representative from Radyo Sincero, during the implementation of the warrant.
The search yielded five master cases of Cannon Menthol 100’s cigarettes, three master cases of Fort cigarettes, and 19 reams of Bosqu cigarettes. The confiscated products had an estimated combined market value of ₱480,174, according to the police.
The seizure forms part of the PNP Maritime Group’s intensified efforts to address the distribution and proliferation of suspected illicit tobacco products through coordinated law enforcement operations and cooperation with other government agencies and industry representatives.
However, the circumstances surrounding the presence and intended distribution of the seized cigarette products, as well as the suspected owner’s alleged involvement, remain matters for further investigation and appropriate legal proceedings.
Authorities have yet to provide further details regarding possible charges, the origin of the confiscated cigarettes, or whether additional individuals are being investigated in connection with the seizure.
The operation underscores the continuing enforcement of tobacco-related regulations, particularly Republic Act No. 10643, which requires graphic health warnings on tobacco product packaging as part of the government’s efforts to protect public health.