P2.5M worth of smuggled cigarettes intercepted in Davao City

DAVAO CITY (April 7) — Authorities here intercepted an estimated ₱2.5 million worth of smuggled cigarettes at a police checkpoint along Libby Road in Barangay Bago Gallera, Davao City, late Sunday evening, further highlighting the persistence of cigarette smuggling operations in Mindanao.

According to a report from the Davao City Police Office (DCPO), the cigarettes were traced back to Zamboanga City following an initial investigation by law enforcement. The shipment was reportedly transported via a trailer truck en route to Sasa, a coastal barangay known for its port access, although authorities have yet to determine the intended recipient or buyer of the contraband.

The truck driver was identified as Ervin Jocson, who was immediately taken into police custody for questioning. Authorities have not disclosed whether additional charges will be filed or if accomplices are being pursued.

“We are still verifying the full extent of the operation and identifying possible links to a larger smuggling network,” a DCPO official said.

The interception is the latest in a string of smuggling attempts involving illicit tobacco products, particularly in southern Mindanao.

Recently, the Zamboanga Peninsula and the Sulu Archipelago have been identified as entry points for smuggled cigarettes, which are often brought in from Indonesia and Malaysia via maritime routes and distributed inland through the Davao Region, General Santos, and Cotabato.

In 2023, the Bureau of Customs and the Philippine National Police reported seizures amounting to over ₱1.3 billion in smuggled cigarettes nationwide, with most shipments entering Western Mindanao ports. Authorities say these operations are typically run by organized syndicates who evade excise taxes and customs regulations, causing billions in losses to government revenue.

In response, checkpoints have been reinforced along major highways and city entry points, including in Davao City, to prevent the transport and distribution of smuggled goods.

Authorities have temporarily impounded the truck and are inventorying the seized cigarettes.

The DCPO coordinates with the Bureau of Customs, Bureau of Internal Revenue, and other intelligence units to trace the supply chain and file appropriate charges against those involved.

Officials reiterated their warning to logistics operators and trucking companies to ensure that their cargo is legitimate and that they are not being used to transport illegal goods.

“We urge the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity related to cigarette smuggling or any form of illicit trade,” the DCPO said in a statement. The case remains under investigation.