Woman Apprehended in Cebu for Illegal Sale of Critically Endangered Agarwood
In a significant enforcement action, a woman was arrested during an entrapment operation conducted by agents from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). The operation, which took place on the afternoon of Friday, February 20, 2026, targeted the alleged sale of critically endangered agarwood, a species protected under Philippine law.
Details of the Arrest and Seizure
According to NBI-Cebu District Office head agent Arnel Pura, the suspect is a resident of Purok 5, Barangay Sangat in San Fernando City, Cebu. Authorities confirmed that her actions were illegal as she failed to present any legal documentation during the operation. This led to her immediate apprehension by the joint team.
During the raid, law enforcement officials seized 48 crates containing over 1,000 agarwood seedlings. The estimated value of these confiscated items is approximately P300,000. The suspect was caught in the act of selling, distributing, and planting agarwood, locally known as lapnisan and scientifically classified as Aquilaria cumingiana or Aquilaria malaccensis, without the proper permits from the DENR.
Suspect's Admission and Legal Implications
The woman admitted to authorities that she had been engaged in selling agarwood seedlings since 2019. She explained that the business was highly profitable, with seedlings selling for prices ranging from P250 to P1,000 each, depending on their size. However, this lucrative trade is strictly prohibited under Republic Act No. 9147, also known as the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act.
Violations of this law carry severe penalties, including imprisonment from 6 to 12 years and fines ranging from P100,000 to P1 million. The DENR emphasized that mature agarwood trees are highly valuable due to their resin, which is widely used in the perfume industry, particularly in the Middle East. Given that the species is critically endangered and at risk of extinction, all activities involving its sale, transport, cultivation, and export are strictly banned without authorization.
Ongoing Legal Proceedings
Cases are currently being prepared against the woman for violations under Section 27(e) and (f) of R.A. 9147 through inquest proceedings. She is currently detained at the NBI-Cebu detention facility while awaiting resolution of her case from the Cebu Provincial Prosecutor's Office. This arrest highlights the ongoing efforts by Philippine authorities to combat illegal wildlife trade and protect endangered species from exploitation.
