ZAMBOANGA CITY — Authorities arrested an individual and confiscated approximately P6.4 million worth of smuggled cigarettes during a law enforcement operation in Zamboanga Sibugay province, police reported Friday, May 29, 2026.
Operation Details
Police Colonel Barnard Danie Dasugo, Zamboanga Sibugay police director, stated that the operation was conducted on Thursday, May 28, in the municipality of Titay. The arrestee, a male adult who owns the warehouse where the contraband was hidden, has not been publicly identified.
The operation was carried out through the service of a search warrant, following intelligence reports indicating that undocumented cigarettes were stored at the warehouse. During the raid, authorities seized assorted illicit cigarettes with a total estimated market value of P6.4 million.
Legal Proceedings
The arrested warehouse owner was brought to the Zamboanga Sibugay Maritime Police Station (MARPSTA) for documentation and proper disposition. Charges for violation of the Graphic Health Warnings Law will be filed against the suspect.
Dasugo commended the operating units for their successful enforcement action and reiterated the province’s intensified campaign against all forms of illegal trade. “This successful operation manifests the strong commitment and collaboration of our law enforcement units in combating the proliferation of illicit cigarettes in the province,” Dasugo said in a statement.
Collaborative Effort
The law enforcement operation was a joint effort involving the Zamboanga Sibugay MARPSTA, personnel from the Titay Municipal Police Station, and other police units based in Zamboanga Sibugay province. The coordinated action underscores the authorities’ determination to curb smuggling and uphold regulatory laws.
