The Bureau of Customs (BOC) discovered an unlicensed cigarette manufacturing plant during a raid on a warehouse in Barangay Panipuan on Wednesday, potentially uncovering a major link in a regional illicit tobacco network.
The joint operation, conducted at Lot 2645, led to the discovery of locally manufactured cigarettes and production materials. Among the brands found were “Two Moon,” along with packaging materials for “Mighty,” “H&P,” “Playboy,” and “Carnival.”
According to the BOC, these brands match those seized in a massive enforcement operation in Batangas last December 31, where authorities recovered P1.1 billion worth of cigarettes from unattended trucks and a container van.
“These brands are the same brands recently apprehended in a separate enforcement operation in Batangas, indicating a possible link in the distribution and supply chain of illicit cigarettes currently under investigation,” the BOC said on Thursday.
Initial investigations revealed that the Pampanga facility was operating without the necessary permits or authorization from the government. In addition to the finished products and machinery, operatives recovered tax stamps that will undergo verification by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to determine if they are counterfeit.
The raid was a collaborative effort between the BOC and various law enforcement agencies following a tip regarding illegal activities at the site. Authorities are currently conducting a follow-up investigation to identify the owners of the warehouse and the individuals behind the manufacturing operations.
The discovery follows a string of high-value seizures as the government intensifies its crackdown on smuggled and illegally manufactured tobacco products to prevent revenue losses and protect the local industry.