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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider CIDG seizes P26M worth of smuggled, counterfeit cigarettes in Central Luzon raids

CIDG seizes P26M worth of smuggled, counterfeit cigarettes in Central Luzon raids

Published Aug 28, 2021 06:33 am

Operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) seized some P26 million worth of smuggled and counterfeit cigarettes in a series of raids in Central Luzon that also resulted in the arrest of 11 store owners and sellers.

Photo: CIDG

CIDG director Maj. Gen. Albert Ignatius Ferro said the operation also led to the Bureau of Internal Avenue shutting down of the operation of a company at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone for questionable documents for their sale of China-made cigarettes.

He identified those arrested as Eduardo Manuel, 26; Noraine Edrada, 25; Elgie Aucina, 23; Alfred Maligmat, 18; Pamela Cezar, 43; Mark Millan, 28; Edwina Mateo, 22; Pacita Manuel, 58; Benedictor Serrano, 44; Richard Dimla 32; and, Florediliza del Prado.

They were collared in a series of raids in Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan and Zambales from August 23 to 27.

Photo: CIDG

Seized from them were 132 boxes, 5,499 reams, and 153 packs of counterfeit and smuggled assorted cigarettes.

“These police operations were based on the information received by the CIDG on the rampant selling of alleged counterfeit cigarettes in the said areas. Test-buys were made and subject items. With the affirmation that said goods were indeed counterfeit, police operations ensued,” said Ferro.

Photo: CIDG

One of the operations conducted, according to Ferro, was against a company at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Zambales.

During the inspection made, the company has been found to be operating pending its application for permit/license to operate, while six Chinese nationals identified as Dai, Mingxi; Chen, Hongsheng Guo, Donghuai; Rao, Ming; Hu, Yong; and Yang, Wei who are working thereat were able to present their valid working permit and identification cards.

CIDG operatives discovered the following during the raid: 21,000 packs of SHUANGXI cigarettes; 950 packs of Bruston Red cigarettes; 3, 450 packs of Huanghelou cigarette; 51,000 packs of Furongwang cigarettes; and Cigarette production machines.

Photo: CIDG
The company was given 15 days by BIR to acquire and secure necessary permits and clearances to operate legally.

Separate cases for violation of Republic Act 8293 (Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines) were filed against MANUEL and 10 others, while the successfully closing of Hongcim International Corp. was due to violation of Section 72 of the Tax Code of the BIR.

Related Tags

FAKE CIGARETTES SBMA smuggled goods PNP CIDG
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