World · Philippines Bureau
Police seize P17.6 million in contraband cigarettes in Pangasinan
Authorities in Pangasinan intercepted a van carrying a large shipment of smuggled cigarettes worth an estimated P17.65 million on Thursday. The discovery marks another significant seizure in the region's ongoing crackdown on illegal tobacco trade.
LSN Philippines ·
Police stopped the van in Agno, Pangasinan, as part of a routine inspection that yielded the substantial haul of contraband goods. Officers from the Pangasinan Police Provincial Office discovered 278 boxes of Red Modern cigarettes during the search, according to a report released Saturday.
The seizure represents a major blow to smuggling operations in the province, where illegal tobacco products have long presented enforcement challenges. The exact value of the contraband was estimated at P17.65 million based on market rates.
Authorities did not immediately disclose details regarding the driver or intended destination of the shipment. The case remains under investigation as police work to identify the networks behind the smuggling operation.