MANILA, Philippines — A case is being put together against two politicians tagged as masterminds behind the operations of illegal cigarette factories, including one facility in Mexico, Pampanga, the Philippine National Police said yesterday. The facility allegedly produced and distributed large volumes of illegal cigarettes nationwide. The facility could produce more than P4.5 billion worth of illegal cigarettes within a month, using several tons of tobacco leaves and counterfeit Bureau of Internal Revenue tax stamps. Among the seized cigarette brands were Two Moon, Carnival and HP, which Remulla warned retailers against selling, noting that the manufacture, transport and sale of illegal cigarettes violate the Anti-Agricultural Sabotage Act. Economic crimesNartatez ordered the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and police regional officials to treat illegal cigarette factories as high-impact economic crimes that should be stopped immediately.

Source: Philippine Star February 06, 2026 16:03 UTC