A total of 192 boxes of cigarettes worth around PHP3.84 million have been seized at the Lipata Port in Surigao City, according to the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA).
The undeclared cargoes were intercepted on July 15, 2025 when the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, PPA, Lipata Port Police, Philippine Coast Guard, and PNP Maritime received information about the suspected cargoes.
Loaded in the dump truck were construction materials, and boxes of cigarettes hidden under a tarpaulin and rice hulls.
The Bureau of Customs also arrived to conduct an investigation, inventory and documentation on the confiscated illegal cigarette shipments. Apprehended individuals are now under the PNP Maritime custody and are facing tax evasion charges under RA 8424 and RA 10963, and a cigarette law on health consciousness and health warnings under RA 10643.
Investigations are still ongoing to get to the bottom of the smuggled cigarette shipments.
