PRO NIR Operation Yields PhP25-M Illicit Cigarettes Seizure in Himamaylan

The Police Regional Office Negros Island Region scored a major breakthrough in its sustained and relentless campaign against cigarette smuggling and illicit trade following the successful interception of an estimated PhP25 million worth of illicit cigarettes and the arrest of an individual during an intelligence-driven operation conducted at 5:20 AM on April 13, 2026, at Barangay To-oy, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental.

The operation was conducted by the Regional Intelligence Division, PRO NIR, in coordination with PIU, NOCPPO, Himamaylan Component City Police Station, and Bureau of Internal Revenue, following a report from a confidential informant regarding the suspected unloading of contraband cigarette boxes from a ten-wheeler wing van.

Acting on the report, the operatives immediately conducted surveillance and validation in the area, where they caught in the act the unloading the contraband cigarette boxes, leading to the immediate interception of the subject vehicle and the discovery of a substantial volume of illicit tobacco products.

The operation resulted in the arrest of alias “Geo,” 43 years old, married, a truck driver, and a resident of Brgy. Masulog, Canlaon City, Negros Oriental.

Recovered during the operation were more or less five hundred (500) master cases of cigarettes found to bear unauthorized tax seals and lacking the required graphic health warning labels, in clear violation of existing laws and regulations.

The suspect was informed of his Constitutional Rights and Anti-torture law in a language he fully understood. All seized items were properly inventoried and documented on-site. The suspect is currently in the custody of RID, PRO NIR for proper legal disposition.

PBGEN ARNOLD THOMAS C IBAY, Regional Director, commended the operating units for their swift, decisive, and coordinated action, emphasizing the organization’s unwavering resolve against smuggling and illicit trade, and noted that the successful operation reflects the strength of intelligence-driven policing and PRO NIR’s firm commitment to protect government revenue, safeguard public welfare, and uphold the rule of law, stressing that PRO NIR will continue to intensify its operations and ensure that there will be no safe haven for law violators in the Negros Island Region.

This major accomplishment highlights PRO NIR’s relentless and uncompromising stance against smuggling and illicit economic activities that undermine government revenue, threaten public health, and disrupt lawful commerce. The organization reaffirmed its commitment to sustain aggressive, intelligence-driven, and highly coordinated operations across the region, leveraging strong collaboration with partner agencies to effectively combat organized illegal trade. With this breakthrough, PRO NIR sends a clear and unequivocal message: all forms of illegal trade will be met with swift, decisive, and unyielding law enforcement action throughout the Negros Island Region.* (PRO-NIR)