Interior Secretary Remulla issued this warning today after the successful dismantling of a suspected illegal cigarette manufacturing and storage facility in Barangay Sahud-Ulan, Tanza, Cavite.

DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla commended the joint inter-agency operation, which involved personnel from PNP CALABARZON through the RID, S2 Cavite and the Tanza MPS, CIDG Cavite, the Bureau of Customs, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Bureau of Fire Protection and the Local Government Unit of Tanza.

The facility, registered as Cavite South Luzon Steel Management and declared as a canned goods storage site, drew suspicion after a citizen reported a strong tobacco odor. Surveillance confirmed cigarette manufacturing, prompting a Bureau of Customs inspection.

During the raid, authorities seized cigarette manufacturing machinery, industrial generators, a forklift, sacks of dried tobacco, packaging materials, raw cigarette components, alleged counterfeit finished products bearing various brand names, and boxes of Fresh Tobacco Square sets. The total value of these contraband items is estimated at P200M as assessed by the Bureau of Customs.

Suspects have not yet been formally identified, as case build-up and inventory procedures continue in preparation for filing charges under Republic Act No. 10863, or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, and Republic Act No. 12022, the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act.

The operation is part of the DILG’s nationwide campaign against illegal tobacco. Secretary Remulla said intelligence-driven efforts are vital to protecting revenue, businesses, and public health, reflecting the government’s commitment to inter-agency action against smuggling and counterfeit goods.