THE DAVAO City Police Office (DCPO) intensified its anti-smuggling operations throughout March 2026, resulting in the seizure of illegal cigarettes valued at approximately ₱971,000.
The month-long campaign, supervised by DCPO director Col Peter Bauzon Madria, targeted illicit trade networks that authorities say undermine local commerce and deprive the government of tax revenue.
In a statement, Madria credited the operational success to “enhanced inter-agency coordination” and increased vigilance from the local community.
The operations involved synchronized efforts between the DCPO, regulatory agencies, and barangay officials.
“The complexity of illegal trade requires a whole-of-community approach,” Madria said, emphasizing that the collaboration between law enforcement and the public allowed the office to maximize its reach.
The crackdown aligns with the standing directives of PNP chief Gen Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. to dismantle smuggling networks nationwide.
Moving into the second quarter of the year, the DCPO assured the public that monitoring will remain strict, with dedicated personnel deployed to key entry points to prevent the proliferation of contraband goods in the city.
