Authorities intercepted a shipment of alleged counterfeit and illegal cigarettes at a checkpoint in Barangay Balibago, Calatagan, Batangas. 

Two men, both residents of Calatagan, were arrested. 

Up to 16 boxes containing 50 reams each of alleged fake and illegal cigarettes were confiscated.

Based on police reports, a call from a Bureau of Customs (BOC) official alerted the PNP about the possible passage of a sports utility vehicle (SUV) from Calaca City carrying the contraband.

"Napara nga po namin ‘yung sasakyan na sinasabi ni Sir Carillo. Nu’ng pinara po ng tao natin, pinatabi po ng sasakyan, pagbukas po nu’ng bintana ng driver at na-flashlight-an po ‘yung  loob ng sasakyan, nakita na po ‘yung mga kahon ng sigarilyo, kasi may ilan po sa kahon, nakabukas," PMaj. John Conrad Villanueva, Officer in Charge of Calatagan Police Station, said.

Initial inventory by the Calatagan Police and Bureau of Customs Batangas estimated the seized cigarettes to be worth approximately P320,000.

Police suspect that the cigarettes were intended for sale in various barangays in Calatagan and possibly for transport to Lubang Island in Occidental Mindoro.

"Initially, sa aming pagi-imbestiga, ito po daw ay sinalo lang nila galing sa hindi nila malaman na source, dahil ang boss lang nila ang nakaka-alam. Itinawag lang sa kanila na tatagpuin nila ‘yung supplier sa Calaca," Villanueva said.

"Ipinasa lang daw po sa kanila, tumagpo lang sa sasakyan. Papunta po sila rito sa Calatagan, idi-distribute po ang mga sigarilyo sa tindahan at ang iba po, dadalhin sa Lubang [Occidental Mindoro]," Villanueva added.

Authorities have yet to confirm if the seized cigarettes have links to a cigarette manufacturing operation in Agoncillo, Batangas that was raided in November 2023.

The two suspects are now held at the Calatagan Police Station's temporary custodial facility, facing charges.