The police seized 52 master cases of smuggled cigarettes labeled Victor Agila American Blend in a residential area in Barangay Bantulan, Taytay, Palawan, around 11 a.m. on November 8.
The confiscated cigarettes, packed in black laminated sacks, contain 50 reams per master case. Authorities estimate their total value at ₱754,000, and the items are now in the custody of Taytay PNP for investigation.
It is believed that the cigarettes originated from Pangutaran Island and were illegally brought into the area.
The suspect, identified as Gilbert Teja Maglente, managed to evade arrest. But the Taytay Municipal Police Station (MPS) plan to charge him for violating Republic Act 10643 or the Graphic Health Warning Law, which mandates proper health warnings on tobacco products.
The operation is part of the Taytay MPS’ intensified campaign against cigarette smuggling in the region to protect the local market and ensure compliance with laws on health warnings for tobacco products.
