Police in Madridejos town on Bantayan Island, Cebu, seized approximately P3 million worth of illegal and smuggled cigarettes that were buried underground by two suspects. The operation occurred around 1:30 a.m. on Thursday, July 9, 2026, in Sitio Kagwangan, Barangay Tarong.
Arrest and Seizure Details
The Tracker Team of the 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company (PMFC) of the Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO), together with the Madridejos Municipal Police Station, conducted a raid on a store in the area, leading to the discovery. The suspects were identified as Ronel Laureto, 30, and Noel Bautista, 37, both residents of the same barangay.
Authorities unearthed 29 large boxes of various cigarette brands that the suspects had buried outside the store to conceal them from law enforcement. In addition to the cigarettes, police also seized illegal butane canisters containing Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) bearing the AgilaGas mark, valued at P6,400, and a 50-kilogram LPG tank from Shine Gaz.
Investigation and Charges
The 1st PMFC initially received information about the illegal sale of butane at the store without authorization from the Department of Energy (DOE). However, after conducting monitoring, surveillance, and evaluation, they discovered that the store was also being used as a drop-off point for smuggled cigarettes. This prompted a buy-bust operation that led to the arrest of the two suspects and the discovery of the buried contraband.
According to police reports, multiple charges are being prepared against the two suspects, who are currently in the custody of the Madridejos Municipal Police Station.
