Police Seize P21 Million in Smuggled Cigarettes During Bacolod Checkpoint Operation
In a significant enforcement action, the Police Regional Office in Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) confiscated an estimated P21 million worth of smuggled cigarettes during a checkpoint operation in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental. The incident occurred on April 14, 2026, at Purok Herbabuena, Barangay Villamonte, marking another blow against illegal trade in the region.
Arrests Made and Details of the Seizure
The operation resulted in the arrest of two individuals: a 27-year-old truck driver known as alias Mario and a 20-year-old truck helper identified as alias Mark. Both suspects are residents of Purok 6, Magsungay, Barangay Singcang-Airport in Bacolod City. According to Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) records, personnel from Police Station 4 were conducting the checkpoint around 3 a.m. when a white Isuzu 6-wheeler panel van with plate number NHB 9644 stopped a short distance away.
The driver and helper informed the police team leader that the vehicle was loaded with what they believed to be smuggled cigarettes from an unknown warehouse. Upon inspection, authorities recovered 200 boxes of Tabaco cigarettes and 15 boxes of Cannon cigarettes, all suspected of being illicitly imported.
Investigation and Previous Seizure
An investigation revealed that the driver and helper had been hired by an unidentified individual to transport the boxes. They reportedly contacted their employer upon noticing suspicious markings on the boxes, leading to the police intervention. This seizure follows a similar operation on April 13, 2026, where an estimated P25 million worth of smuggled cigarettes were confiscated in Barangay To-oy, Himamaylan City, resulting in the arrest of alias Geo, a 43-year-old truck driver from Canlaon City, Negros Oriental.
Official Statement and Commitment to Law Enforcement
Brigadier General Arnold Thomas Ibay, PRO-NIR director, emphasized that this successful operation highlights the effectiveness of intelligence-driven policing. He stated that PRO-NIR is firmly committed to protecting government revenue, safeguarding public welfare, and upholding the rule of law. General Ibay added that the agency will continue to intensify its operations to ensure there is no safe haven for law violators in the Negros Island Region.
This crackdown underscores ongoing efforts to combat smuggling activities, which pose significant threats to local economies and public safety. The PRO-NIR's proactive measures aim to deter future illegal transactions and reinforce legal compliance across the island.
