THE DAVAO City Police Office (DCPO) has intercepted over ₱2.8 million worth of smuggled cigarettes in just one month.
City police director Col Peter Bauzon Madria, who assumed command on March 30, 2026, said they launched 85 separate operations ending April 30, confiscating contraband valued at ₱2,837,785.
He said the operations averaged nearly three raids per day, which is part of their shift toward more “aggressive law enforcement” regarding technical smuggling.
“The success of these operations reflects the importance of unity and cooperation among law enforcement units in addressing organized illegal activities,” said Madria.
The DCPO said smuggled tobacco poses a triple threat to the city as it deprives the government of essential tax revenues, undercuts legitimate local retailers who follow the law, and exposes consumers to unknown risks as unregulated products often bypass safety standards.
Moving forward, the office plans to further enhance its operational capabilities and deepen partnerships with other law enforcement units to ensure that Davao remains a hostile environment for smugglers.
