Lipa city: The Philippine National Police - Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) destroyed PHP14.5 million worth of confiscated illegal cigarettes during a coordinated multi-agency destruction operation at the Amigos Recyclable Material Collection Services facility in Lipa City, Batangas on Thursday.

According to Philippines News Agency, CIDG director Maj. Gen. Robert Morico II stated that the CIDG Regional Field Unit 4A disposed of 233 master cases of illicit tobacco products with an estimated value of PHP14,507,127, which were seized during previous law enforcement operations across Bulacan, Laguna, and Batangas.

Morico noted that the disposal of confiscated evidence is crucial for decongesting evidence storage facilities and minimizing risks related to inventory management, warehouse safety, and accountability. He emphasized that the destruction of these illegal products prevents their reentry into the market, thereby protecting consumers from potential health hazards associated with unregulated products.

To ensure complete neutralization of the contraband, the team employed an environmentally compliant, two-step destruction method. This involved mechanical shredding, which included initial crushing at Amigos Recyclable Materials Collection Services facility in Barangay Dagatan, followed by incineration. The shredded materials were transported to the Japan Tobacco International Philippines, Inc. (JTI) facility in Bulacan for supervised thermal destruction.

Morico commended Col. Ganaban C Ali, regional chief of CIDG Regional Field Unit, and all partner agencies and stakeholders who witnessed the successful destruction of the confiscated illicit tobacco products. The CIDG reassures the public of its steadfast and continuous commitment to enforcing trade and safety laws, emphasizing its mission to shield Filipino consumers from illicit and hazardous goods nationwide.