By Jeffrey Damicog
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has arrested three Korean nationals involved in the smuggling of cigarettes.
NBI Director Dante Gierran identified the three arrested Koreans as Young Kook Kim, Jong Kook Choi, and Gee Poong Lee.
The three Koreans were arrested last Tuesday at their shop in Bacoor, Cavite during an entrapment operation conducted by the NBI’s Special Action Unit (NBI-SAU).
Gierran explained the NBI acted on the information that the suspects were engaged in the selling of smuggled cigarettes.
After conducting surveillance operations at the shop of the suspects, Gierran said NBI agents proceeded with the entrapment operation.
NBI agents seized during the operation smuggled cigarettes worth P500,000.
Gierran said the three Koreans failed to present the necessary importation documents to justify their possession of the goods.
Following their arrest, the three were presented for inquest before the Department of Justice (DOJ) for violating Republic Act 10863, the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.