CABANATUAN CITY, Nueva Ecija – Police seized 75 boxes of smuggled cigarettes valued at P1.3 million in a checkpoint in Zaragoza, Nueva Ecija on Saturday, Nov. 30.
SEVENTY-FIVE boxes of smuggled cigarettes were seized in Zaragoza, Nueva Ecija on Nov. 30.
Police Col. Ferdinand Germino, Nueva Ecija police chief, said police flagged down a van for a routine check and verification.
The 42-year-old driver opened a window and police discovered in plain view 20 boxes of Modern Red cigarettes, 25 Modern Blue cigarettes, 20 boxes of RGD cigarettes, and 10 boxes of Carnival cigarettes valued at P1.3 million.
The driver was arrested for violating Republic Act 8293, the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines.
The suspect and confiscated items were taken to the Zaragoza police station for proper disposition.
Geronimo said cigarette smuggling in the province will be dealt with accordingly.
“This serves as a stern warning to all sellers, distributors, and consumers to stop patronizing fake cigarettes. Such illicit trade will be dealt with in accordance with the law,” Germino said.