Ched Rick Gatchalian

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‘Zombie-like’ effects: Police seize illicit Thuoc Lao cigarettes in Bacoor

Michael Delizo

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1766728756453d74d555215a3c809ce4d77eeef3c0094da924966686a616d36333f9c163c5628.webp" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left"><em>Damon Hall, Unsplash </em></span></span></span></div><p>CAVITE — Amid fireworks and revelry on Christmas Eve, Wednesday, operatives of the Bacoor Component City Police Station raided three men allegedly selling an illicit and dangerous tobacco product known as “Thuoc Lao,” colloquially called “tuklaw,” or the so-called black cigarette.</p><p>Police apprehended three suspects, including a 19-year-old senior high school student, during a buy-bust operation in Barangay Poblacion, Bacoor City.</p><p>Authorities said the operation stemmed from an investigation into the cellphone of an earlier arrested drug suspect, where conversations were found regarding the sale of what they referred to as “tuks.”</p><p>Seized during the operation were two small black boxes labeled “Vegas Slims Pack” containing a total of 14 rolled black paper cigarettes, which were found to contain suspected dried Nicotiana rustica plant.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/5/23/advocates-welcome-proposed-task-force-vs-illicit-vape-tobacco-trade-2006">Advocates welcome proposed task force vs illicit vape, tobacco trade</a></div><p>Police also recovered one heat-sealed transparent plastic sachet containing suspected dried marijuana leaves.</p><p>The suspects admitted that the items were sourced from Metro Manila, according to police.</p><p>“Based sa initial research, ‘yong mga fan ng marijuana, nagle-level up—ngayon, mas nagugustuhan na nila ‘yong effect ng Thuoc Lao,” said Police Lieutenant Colonel Alexie Desamito, chief of the Bacoor City Police.</p><p>(Based on initial research, marijuana users are leveling up—now they prefer the effects of Thuoc Lao.)</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>What is Thuoc Lao?</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Police said Thuoc Lao is relatively new in the Philippines and has drawn public attention due to incidents involving teenagers who reportedly manifested seizure-like symptoms after puffing the cigarettes.</p><p>These symptoms include brief, shock-like body jerks and involuntary twitching.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/health-science/2025/8/14/pnp-chief-warns-public-vs-deadly-tuklaw-cigarettes-1424">PNP chief warns public vs deadly ‘tuklaw’ cigarettes</a></div><p>“Nagkakaroon ng uncontrolled effect—nagsi-seizure sila na parang mga zombie,” Desamito said. “Kaya ‘yong iba diyan, nadi-disgrasya.”</p><p>(It causes uncontrolled effects—they experience seizures, almost like zombies. That’s why some of them end up in accidents.)</p><p>According to the National Tobacco Administration (NTA), Thuoc Lao is a tobacco plant grown in the mountainous areas of Northern Vietnam.</p><p>Its nicotine content can reach as high as nine percent, compared to ordinary cigarettes, which contain an average of only one to three percent.</p><p>The cigarette, which is reportedly fortified with synthetic cannabinoids, has not been authorized for importation into the Philippines, the agency said.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/8/13/pdea-tracing-source-of-cannabinoid-laced-tuklaw-cigarettes-1820">PDEA tracing source of cannabinoid-laced &#x27;tuklaw&#x27; cigarettes</a></div><p>Latest findings from the NTA revealed that illegal cigarettes mainly originate from Indonesia and Malaysia and are transported by sea, with entry points in Zamboanga, General Santos, Davao, and Palawan.</p><p>Desamito assured intensified police operations to crack down on the sale of illicit drugs, expressing hope that authorities would be able to uncover the biggest source.</p><p>“Na-anticipate na na kumalat,” she said. “Nakakatakot ‘yan kapag tinangkilik kasi may effect na hindi maganda.”</p><p>(We anticipated that it would spread. It’s frightening if people patronize it because it has harmful effects.)</p>

<p>Amid fireworks and revelry on Christmas Eve, Wednesday, operatives of the Bacoor Component City Police Station raided three men allegedly selling an illicit and dangerous tobacco product known as “Thuoc Lao,” colloquially called “tuklaw,” or the so-called black cigarette.</p>

Amid fireworks and revelry on Christmas Eve, Wednesday, operatives of the Bacoor Component City Police Station raided three men allegedly selling an illicit and dangerous tobacco product known as “Thuoc Lao,” colloquially called “tuklaw,” or the so-called black cigarette.