AN ILLEGAL cigarette factory was found in Bago City Tuesday. (PRO-NIR)
BACOLOD CITY – The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) discovered another warehouse allegedly used in manufacturing illegal cigarettes in Purok Pulang Duta, Barangay Lag-asan, Bago City, Negros Occidental on Tuesday, May 12.
A suspected caretaker, 29-year-old Jo, from Barangay Villamonte here was arrested.
Authorities discovered assorted raw materials and packaging supplies – 400 rolls of plastic wrap, 36 boxes with 60 green packaging tape each, 22 containers of white-blue adhesive, 130 containers of white glue adhesive, 25 boxes of scotch tape containing 60 rolls each, piles of waste materials used in tobacco packaging, a Ford Ranger 4x2, and an Isuzu wing van truck.
The Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) said the raid was in line with the ongoing investigation on the P800-million cigarette manufacturing supplies discovered in a warehouse in Barangay Calumangan, Bago City, and Bacolod City on April 21.
Ber, warehouse owner from Bacolod City, and Ab, operations manager from Bago City, fled and the subject of a manhunt.
The PRO-NIR urged the public to remain vigilant and actively support government authorities by promptly reporting suspicious and illegal activities in their communities.
Follow-up investigation is ongoing.
Meanwhile, abandoned smuggled cigarettes valued at P2.3 million were discovered and turned over to the police in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental on Wednesday, May 13.
Recovered were five boxes of New Mega Menthol cigarettes and 18 boxes of Red BOSQU cigarettes with 100 reams per box.
A barangay official reported the presence of the contraband on the roadside.