Jamaine Punzalan

Article (news)

Karen De Guzman

Jeff Caparas

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — Authorities seized around P200 million worth of alleged illicit cigarettes and manufacturing equipment during a joint inter-agency operation at a warehouse in Tanza, Cavite on Thursday.Initial records indicated the facility was declared as a canned goods storage site since April 30, 2025. But a concerned citizen reported that the warehouse smelled of tobacco rather than canned goods, prompting authorities to put the place under surveillance.Based on the initial findings, authorities discovered the 11 cigarette manufacturing machines, 2 generator sets, 1 forklift, and 10 brands of cigarette products.<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>Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla later in the day said the warehouse complex was previously flagged for illegal activities.“Sa further investigation, itong warehouse complex na ito ay dalawang beses nang nahulihan ng illegal operation. Noong 2025, nahulihan ito ng smuggled appliances. Ngayon naman, illegal cigarettes,” Remulla said, adding that authorities would file complaints against the building owner. <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>Remulla said authorities have so far swooped down on six cigarette warehouses or factories.“Malapit na kami sa target namin. Ang alam namin ay 10 ang nag-ooperate at hindi kami titigil hanggang matapos ito,” he said.“Nakukuha na namin ang distributors at manufacturers. Sunod ang mga retailer. Pakiusap ko sa mga nasa palengke sa buong Pilipinas, sa susunod na linggo magra-raid na kami. Kapag may nahuli kaming illegal na sigarilyo sa inyong tindahan, mananagot kayo,” Remulla added.Remulla also revealed that authorities were investigating possible links between seized warehouses and certain politicians, as well as alleged protectors within the government.He said that equipment used in the operation reportedly originated from mainland China, while the tobacco supply allegedly came from parts of Southeast Asia.In a separate statement, Philippine National Police (PNP) PGen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. ordered all chiefs of police nationwide to strengthen coordination with local governments to monitor suspicious warehouses and other properties that could be used as storage or illegal cigarette manufacturing sites.“Police and community relationships that are built on trust are an essential ingredient in effective law enforcement and efficient implementation of peace and order measures,” Nartatez said. “At the end of the day, we both have a common goal of making every street and every community a safe place to live, and a secured place…to invest in,” he added.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/18/pnp-seizes-over-p1-b-worth-of-smuggled-cigarettes-in-first-six-weeks-of-2026-2124">PNP seizes over P1-B worth of smuggled cigarettes in first six weeks of 2026</a></div>

Authorities seized around P200 million worth of alleged illicit cigarettes and manufacturing equipment during a joint inter-agency operation at a warehouse in Tanza, Cavite on Thursday.

Authorities seized around P200 million worth of alleged illicit cigarettes and manufacturing equipment during a joint inter-agency operation at a warehouse in Tanza, Cavite on Thursday.

P200-million worth of illicit cigarettes seized in Cavite raid

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P200-million worth of illicit cigarettes seized in Cavite raid

Karen De Guzman,

Jeff Caparas,

ABS-CBN News

Published February 20, 2026 07:24 AM PHT

|

Updated February 20, 2026 02:19 PM PHT

Read More:

BOC

PNP

DILG

illicit cigarettes

economic sabotage

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