A series of coordinated law enforcement operations by the Philippine National Police (PNP), under the leadership of PNP Chief Police General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr., dismantled large-scale illicit trade activities in Cebu and Valenzuela City on April 10, 2026. The operations led to the seizure of billions of pesos worth of counterfeit goods and smuggled products, and the arrest of several suspects, including foreign nationals.
In Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, authorities served a search warrant at a warehouse inside an industrial park in Barangay Basak. The operation resulted in the seizure of thousands of boxes of cigarettes bearing suspected falsified tax stamps, along with industrial machines and raw materials worth over Php1.1 Billion. Five individuals were arrested during the raid, including four Chinese nationals and one Filipino. As of this writing, they are in police custody and face charges for falsification and use of falsified documents under Article 172 of the Revised Penal Code.
The PNP Chief said the successful operation reflects the organization’s intensified campaign against illegal manufacturing activities that deprive the state of rightful revenues and endanger public trust. He emphasized that the PNP will continue to pursue individuals involved in large-scale illicit trade operations and that they will be held fully accountable under the law.
In a separate operation conducted on the same day, personnel from the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Northern Police District (NPD) Field Unit implemented a Letter of Authority issued by the Bureau of Customs inside a rubber manufacturing facility and an import-export warehouse in Barangay East Canumay, Valenzuela City. The operation resulted in the confiscation of assorted imported perfumes with an estimated market value of approximately Php700 Million, suspected of being unlawfully brought into the country in violation of Republic Act No. 7394, also known as the Consumer Act of the Philippines.
The two identified suspects, including a Chinese national with the alias “Allen,” were not present during the operation and remain at large. All seized items are currently under the custody of the Bureau of Customs for proper documentation and disposition. Follow-up investigations and intensified case build-up operations are ongoing to locate the suspects, determine the full scope of the smuggling network, and prevent similar illegal trade activities.
“This operation sends a strong signal that large-scale smuggling and consumer deception will face firm enforcement actions. Hindi kukunsintihin ng PNP ang mga iligal na gawain na nagpapahamak sa mamimili at sumisira sa patas na kalakalan,” said PGen Nartatez.
These recent operations highlight the PNP’s continuing commitment to disrupt illicit supply chains, protect government revenues, and ensure that only lawful and properly regulated goods enter and circulate within the market, in line with its broader mandate to safeguard public welfare and economic stability.
