The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has announced a major victory in its fight against illegal trade, with a high-value seizure of smuggled cigarettes in Bataan. The operation, conducted in the first week of 2026, underscores the agency's intensified crackdown on smuggling syndicates operating in the country.
Coordinated Raid Uncovers Massive Haul
On January 9, 2026, a composite team from the BOC's Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) and Enforcement and Security Service (ESS) at the Port of Limay executed a targeted inspection. Acting on a valid Letter of Authority (LOA), the team entered a compound located in Barangay Santa Isabel, Dinalupihan, Bataan.
The operation was a coordinated effort involving multiple government bodies. The BOC team was joined by personnel from the Philippine Coast Guard – Task Force Aduana and worked in close coordination with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Regional Office No. 4 Central Luzon - Regional Investigation Division. Local authorities, including barangay officials, the Philippine National Police – Bataan Provincial Police Office (PPO), and the 69th Infantry Battalion, 7th Infantry Division, Philippine Army, provided crucial assistance on the ground.
Details of the Seizure
Inside the compound, authorities discovered a significant cache of illicit tobacco products. The smuggled cigarettes were found loaded onto 12 motor vehicles, amounting to a total of 1,030 master cases.
The seized products bore various international brands, including:
- Modern
- RGD
- Nise Baisha
- HP
- Power
- Carnival
- Playboy
- President
Based on the packaging, the BOC identified the countries of origin as China, Vietnam, and Korea. The bureau placed the total estimated value of the confiscated goods at a staggering P105,575,000.
Target Markets and Ongoing Crackdown
Preliminary investigations by the BOC suggest that this massive shipment of smuggled cigarettes was intended for local distribution in Regions II (Cagayan Valley) and III (Central Luzon). The interception of these goods represents a direct blow to the supply chain of illicit tobacco, protecting local markets and government revenue.
This successful operation highlights the BOC's renewed and vigorous campaign against smuggling syndicates. By leveraging intelligence and fostering inter-agency collaboration, the bureau aims to disrupt the operations of these groups and curb the flow of smuggled products into the Philippines. The seizure in Bataan serves as a clear warning that authorities are actively monitoring and acting against illicit trade activities across the nation.
