Police raided a store allegedly selling illegal butane canisters filled with liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in Sitio Kagwangan, Barangay Tarong, Madridejos, Cebu, around 1:30 a.m. on Thursday, July 9, 2026. The operation was conducted by the tracker team of the 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company (PMFC) of the Cebu Provincial Police Office.
Suspects Arrested and Items Seized
Authorities arrested two individuals caught selling butane canisters containing LPG. They were identified as alias Rowel, 30, and Justin, 37, both residents of the same area. Police seized butane canisters with an estimated total value of more than P3 million, along with one 50-kilogram LPG tank.
Operation Details
The operation stemmed from information received by the 1st PMFC that a store in the area was selling illegal butane canisters without authorization from the Department of Energy (DOE). Acting on the tip, authorities conducted monitoring, surveillance, and evaluation. After gathering sufficient information, they carried out a buy-bust operation.
The operation was led by the 1st PMFC under Police Captain John Kennedy Pajantoy, under the supervision of Police Lieutenant Colonel Ruel Burlat, in coordination with the Madridejos Municipal Police Station.
Charges Filed
Police are preparing to file charges against the two suspects for violating Section 40 of Republic Act 11592 (Illegal Selling and Refilling of LPG/Butane) and Section 1401 of Republic Act 10863 (Customs Modernization and Tariff Act). The suspects are currently in the custody of the Madridejos Municipal Police Station.
