P1.5 billion smuggled cigarettes found in Malabon

Upgrade to High-Speed Internet for only ₱1499/month!

Enjoy up to 100 Mbps fiber broadband, perfect for browsing, streaming, and gaming.

Visit Suniway.ph to learn

January 2, 2026 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — A pursuit operation against two traffic violators led to the discovery of smuggled cigarettes valued at P1.5 billion in Malabon on Wednesday night.

Operatives of the Highway Patrol Group the suspects on a motorcycle without helmets along M.H. Del Pilar Avenue in Barangay Maysilo.

Instead of stopping, the suspects sped off, prompting police to chase them.

The motorcycle riders were cornered inside a cargo facility along Mabolo street, acting Philippine National Police chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said.

A security guard of the facility helped in apprehending the duo who hid behind 18 40-footer containers.

Police discovered a shipping container filled with boxes of unregistered cigarettes.

The discovery led to the security guard’s arrest and the two suspects.