Jamaine Punzalan

Article (news)

Karen De Guzman

<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FabscbnNEWS%2Fposts%2Fpfbid027Jb7KpPdTis9mttr6RVLgT8DhFGY994aWM6SBMqmGrmhQsWHTRMpM24gBrmBwDb5l&amp;show_text=false&amp;width=500" width="500" height="498" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>MANILA — Some P70 million worth of illicit tobacco products were seized from a warehouse in San Simon, Pampanga on Monday, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said.</p><p>The operation was conducted just hours after Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla and other officials inspected three warehouses and manufacturing sites in the province linked to the illegal cigarette trade.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2026/2/16/dilg-says-syndicate-may-be-behind-pampanga-illegal-cigarette-operations-1600">DILG says syndicate may be behind Pampanga illegal cigarette operations</a></div><p>Police said the latest raid stemmed from a tip sent by a netizen through text message, informing them about a similar warehouse located inside a business park in Barangay San Pablo Libutad.</p><p>Operatives from the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) immediately proceeded to the area to verify the report. </p><p>Through the clear glass windows of the warehouse, detectives confirmed     the presence of illicit cigarettes inside the compound.</p><p>“This is another proof of what we can achieve if we all work together to enforce the law and maintain peace and order,” PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said in a statement. </p><p>“Criminal elements and syndicates stand no chance to operate and conduct illegal activities in a community that is united and working together towards peace and development,” he added.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2026/2/5/6-chinese-63-filipinos-nabbed-in-pampanga-raid-on-alleged-illegal-cigarette-factory-0757">6 Chinese nabbed, 65 Filipinos rescued in Pampanga raid on alleged illegal cigarette factory</a></div><p>Assorted tobacco raw materials were also recovered in the storage, reinforcing previous intelligence reports and earlier operations involving the illegal manufacturing and repacking of cigarettes in the country.</p><p>Verification with barangay officials revealed that the warehouse had no issued business permit.</p><p>Nartatez said coordination was ongoing to identify the owner or lessee of the warehouse who could have full control of the illegal operation. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2026/2/12/customs-bureau-nabs-p39-3-million-worth-of-illicit-cigarettes-tobacco-1639">Customs bureau nabs P39.3 million worth of illicit cigarettes, tobacco </a><br/><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/1/27/pnp-notes-backdoor-channels-rogue-law-enforcers-in-cigarette-smuggling-1449">PNP notes backdoor channels, rogue law enforcers in cigarette smuggling</a><br/><br/></div><div><iframe width="1023" height="575" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9FunZjGuJNo" title="PH authorities discover abandoned illegal cigarette warehouses in Pampanga | ANC" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

<p>Some P70 million worth of illicit tobacco products were seized from a warehouse in San Simon, Pampanga on Monday, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said.</p>

Some P70 million worth of illicit tobacco products were seized from a warehouse in San Simon, Pampanga on Monday, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said.

P70-million illicit cigarettes seized in Pampanga warehouse after netizen tip

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P70-million illicit cigarettes seized in Pampanga warehouse after netizen tip

Karen De Guzman

Published Feb 17, 2026 10:47 AM PHT

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PNP

police

smuggled cigarettes

illicit

warehouse

manufacturing

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